Howard H. Palmer, 80, of Atlanta, Georgia died peacefully Sunday May 16, 2010. He was born to the late Grady and Minnie Palmer, September 1929 in Hayesville, North Carolina. He was the second oldest of 7 children. Upon completion of Hayesville High School, he relocated to Atlanta. It was there he met and married Mary Elizabeth McIntyre in 1951. After serving in the Korean War, he attended Georgia State University where he studied Accounting and Actuarial Science. After graduating from Georgia State University, he joined The Harold Dillon Agency and began a lifetime career in the life insurance business. In 1961 he began a life brokerage agency, FISC Investment Services Corporation, which focused in impaired risk underwriting. The agency was renamed The Palmer Agency in 1998, when he implemented his succession plan to the next generation. His legacy continues through the committed staff of The Palmer Agency and the brokers they serve. He was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table and earned his Charter Life Underwriter designation early in his career. He was an active member of Emory Baptist and Emory Presbyterian Church, where he served on various committees. He was also active in several civic organizations. He had a passion for the game of golf. He was a member of Druid Hills Country Club and East Lake Golf Club. Howard is predeceased by wife, Mary M. Palmer and his two sons, H. Alan Palmer and Mark E. Palmer. He is survived by his daughters Gail Palmer Hatcher and Myra J. Palmer; son-in-laws Herschel F. Hatcher III and David C. Johnson; and grandsons Ivy and Branson Hatcher, Chase Curry, DJ Johnson, and Palmer Curry. In lieu of flowers and in memory of his wife Mary M. Palmer and son, H. Alan Palmer, please make contributions to The Alzheimer’s Association or The Alan Palmer Scholarship Fund at Emory University. Visitation will be held beginning at 10am on Saturday May 22 with the Memorial Service following at 12 noon at A.S. Turner and Sons in Decatur, Georgia.
