BRACKETTVILLE, Texas | James Richard Palmer, 86, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, at his residence.

Jim was born Dec. 1, 1925, in Hyannis, NE, to Frank and Mary Alice (Perrett) Palmer. The family lived in Terraville, SD, and Lead, SD. As a young boy, he loved roaming and camping in the Northern Hills with his dog. Fishing and hunting became life-long interests. He graduated from Lead High School and joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. Jim served in the South Pacific during WWII where he witnessed the Atomic bomb test at Bikini Island. Following his honorable discharge, he earned a degree from Black Hills Teacher's College. In the early 50s, Jim worked as a Meade County Deputy under Johnny Egger.

Jim married Edith (Baldwin) Beug and her two sons in 1957. To this union, Jay Leslie Palmer was born in 1959. The family moved from Sturgis, SD, to Custer, SD, where he was employed by the Forest Service. He was transferred to Colorado Springs, CO, in 1962 and worked with the Forest Service until 1966. Jim and Edith then built a KOA Campground near Deckers, CO, where they made their home. They began traveling to Mexico and spent many winters there before settling in Fort Clark Springs, TX. Edith passed away in 2001. Jim married Cora Crain from Spearfish, SD, in 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Cora Palmer, Brackettville; sons, Ken (Jean) Beug and Ron (Rhonda) Beug, all of Sturgis, and Jay Palmer, Belgrade, MT; nine grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Pastor Brian Carpenter officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard. Family and friends may gather at 1:30 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

A memorial has been established.