Christopher Palmer

Christopher Joseph Palmer, age 57, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022. A native of Rush Fork, NC, he was the son of Elise DeLozier Palmer and the late Joseph Hardy Palmer. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his dear brother, Joseph William (Jody) Palmer.

Chris is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Robin Marie Palmer, his children, Casey Palmer of Raleigh, NC; Richard Malloy, and his wife, Maia Malloy, of Raleigh, NC; and Taylor Malloy of Clyde, NC; his constant and faithful companion, Red Red Red Dog; and his siblings, John Glenn Palmer, Amy Palmer Evans, and her husband, Scott Evans their daughter Jesse Evans, and Kim Hardy Palmer, and his wife, Tracey Palmer of Fines Creek, NC.

Also left to treasure and carry on their grandfather’s memory, and his heartwarming and infectious smile, are his grandchildren, Emilia Malloy; Salem Malloy; Zeke Malloy and Kahlan Malloy.

Chris was a graduate of North Carolina State University in 1987 where he graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. He remained an avid fan of his alma mater watching and attending N.C. State football and basketball games throughout the years.

After school, Chris spent his life working from sunup to sundown on his beloved family cattle farm on Rush Fork, NC alongside his closest friends and family. A sixth-generation steward of the farm, he worked diligently to be granted the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund that helps preserve family farms across the state.

Chris was also an avid outdoorsman. He spent his free time fishing and horseback riding with his closest friends and family in Cataloochee, Ferguson Mountain (Cedar Cliff), Big Creek among other places. He enjoyed bear hunting in Western North Carolina, the coast of NC and in Maine. In more recent years, he spent many of his afternoons in his garden near his home.

Chris was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Many will always, and continue, to remember him as the "Governor of Rush Fork".

A service in commemoration and celebration of his life will be held at Crabtree United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

A livestream of Chris's celebration of life will be available via Facebook Live on the Crabtree United Methodist Church Facebook page.  https://fb.watch/eA_EKm6UJD/?mibextid=e7xj39 and https://www.facebook.com/crabtreeumc/videos/797768578256725/

In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that donations be made to the Crabtree Volunteer Fire Department at 99 Susie Noland Rd, Clyde, NC 28721 and Crabtree United Methodist Church at 5405 Crabtree Road, Clyde, NC 28721.

The care of Chris has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.