Harold Benjamin Palmer

December 17, 1937 - December 5, 2019

Columbia—The Funeral Service for Harold B. Palmer, 81, of Columbia, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2019, at Temples Halloran Funeral Home Chapel, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 with Reverend James Goudelock, officiating. The family will greet friends following the service, with burial to follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens. Mr. Palmer passed away Thursday, December 5, 2019, with his family at his side. Born in Union, SC, he was the son of the late Harold Ellis and Carolyn C. Foster Palmer. Mr. Palmer had a successful 32+ years with the IRS and, at retirement, he was a Manager in the Columbia Office. Harold, after retirement, enjoyed being a Certified Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. He was the Volunteer of the Year for the Lexington County Master Gardeners (L.C.M.G). Harold was an avid supporter of the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens, both financially and in the development of educational facilities. He taught Home Schooled children in reference to the gardens. Harold loved being a Shriner at Jamil Temple and, at one time, was very active. He served as Potentate in 1994. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Catherine Scott Palmer; and his sister, Ann Lou Palmer Blevins of Georgia. He is also survived by his daughter, Wendy Carolyn Palmer Ravan (Todd); and sons, Harold Ellis Palmer II (Karen), John Palmer (Jaime), and Thom Palmer. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Shonna (Scott) Staton, T.J. and Michaela Ravan, and Daniel Palmer, Sherri (Corey) Rogers, Ava, Emily, and Hannah Palmer, and Benjamin Palmer. In addition, he is survived by his great grandchildren, Knox Fyle, Brice Staton, and Beck Rogers and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Nina Ann Valincia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 or St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.