THOMAS PALMER

FORT WORTH -- Thomas Costain Palmer died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 31, 2012. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3740 Birchman Ave., with the Rev. Jim Boyd officiating. Honorary bearers will be John Hall, Brent Hyder, Bill Jennings, Doug Jennings, Walt Jennings, Hal Latimore, Bob Martin, Jeff Naquin, Jim Parr and Dee Smith. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the Union Gospel Mission or to a charity of one's choice, in Tom's memory, is suggested. Thomas Costain Palmer, known to friends and family simply as "Tom," was born March 1, 1921, in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Thomas Costain and Lucile Erwin Shultz Palmer. He attended UC Berkeley, where he received a BA in economics, and then Harvard Business School, where he completed his MBA, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Tom served in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps during World War II where he was stationed in Paris. After the war, he was stationed at the Army Depot in Fort Worth, where he met his wife, Carmen Clayton, and settled to start his family. His long and varied career included strategic planning for the Broadway department stores of Southern California; serving as engagement manager for international management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles; marketing manager and chief financial officer for Commercial Oil Transport, Fort Worth; dean of Continuing Education at TCU; community development coordinator, city of San Diego; president of Pacer Lubricants, Houston; founder of Guildhall, a limited edition fine art print reproduction company; and finally, associate with William C. Jennings Co. Commercial Real Estate Specialists. An avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout, Tom remained active and fit throughout his life, enjoying all forms of sport from hiking and horseback riding to tennis and body surfing. As a student and supporter of the arts and world culture, he traveled extensively throughout Western Europe and North and South America. Passionate about community service, Tom was active in a number of organizations designed to influence public policy. He volunteered as a mentor for underprivileged children, created a plan for the Citizen Development Institute and was involved in the TCU Leadership Center. Although he formally retired from the William C. Jennings Co. in October 2011, Tom remained active in commercial real estate and was working to complete a book articulating his philosophy gained from a lifelong spiritual quest for understanding. Constantly in touch with the divine force of God within him, Tom radiated this to all around him, rejoicing in the success of others and helping those in need, with hope, optimism and joy. He was a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, a giant of a man who will be missed by all. Survivors: In addition to his wife of 51 years, Carmen, to whom he was a devoted husband, Tom is survived by his daughter, Mary Alice Palmer; daughter, Sharon Stripling Worcester and her husband, John; son, Wesley C. Stripling IV and his wife, Gerri; grandchildren, Barney Bowie Holland III and his wife, Adrianne, Clayton Stripling Holland and his wife, Erin, Walker Kingsberry Holland, Darragh Costain Stripling, Wesley "Cape" Stripling and Davis Goldstein; great-grandchildren, Emma Jean Holland and Leah Belle Holland; his sister, Florence Benjamin and her children, Chris, Gary and Nancy Benjamin; and niece, Laurie Trachta. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of THOMAS PALMER please visit our Sympathy Store.