Anthony Ronald Palmer

Anthony “Tony” Palmer, completed his life on earth on August 25, 2023 in his 80^th year following a long struggle with complications from bladder cancer.  He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, spending his formative years with a large extended family. He graduated with honors from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1967 in an accelerated program, after having been inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society in his junior year. He met his future wife, Myriam Hubbard, in Monterrey, Mexico where they were both attending Spanish language classes in the summer of 1964. After their marriage in 1968, Tony completed his residency in Anesthesiology in Louisville, 1972, and subsequently they moved to Fort Rucker, Alabama where Tony was the Chief of Anesthesiology at Lister Army Hospital for 2 years. Upon completion of his Army service, they moved to Arlington, TX where Tony cared for thousands of patients in the private practice of Anesthesiology at several medical centers for 33 years. He was committed to medical education and was on the clinical staff at Southwestern Medical School, volunteering to staff Anesthesiology residents once a month for about 20 years.

In Arlington their family grew with the addition of two children. Tony had myriad interests. He was an active member of the Automated Musical Instrument Collector Association and owned several automated musical instruments including juke boxes and expression player pianos. He hosted two national meets of the Airflow Club of America, 1998 in Fort Worth, TX and 2011 in Durango, CO as the owner of a 1934 Chrysler and 1934 DeSoto Airflow. He served on the board of the Durango Historical Train Society and he enjoyed working on old train cars, and maintaining the replica of the Emma Sweeney locomotive on display in Santa Rita Park, Durango. As an afficionado of fine food and wines, he enjoyed membership in several wine and food societies, including the international Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, with memberships in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX and Santa Fe, NM Chapters. Receiving the highest certification in the Confrerie St. Etienne required travel to Alsace, France. Travel and history were dual passions, particularly WWII and the European countries involved.

Above all, Tony’s family was most important to him. He is survived by his son, Tom (Elizabeth) Palmer and grandson Stone; and daughter, Rachel (Jimmy) Stones, and granddaughter Lily, all living in NY; brother Frank Palmer, Frankfort, KY; and wife of 54 years, Myriam. Family and friends span continents and scores of years but closer to home some lovely acquaintances, neighbors, and friendships accrued since moving to Durango full time in 2007.

As Tony requested, there be no formal celebrations or services and his ashes will be distributed by his family.  The family is very grateful for the sustaining support from Home Instead,  Mercy Home Health, Palliative Care, and finally Hospice. Tony wishes family and friends will celebrate his life with memories of good times spent together.