Mark Palmer

Mark Palmer, 69, retired publisher of The Daily Herald, died Saturday, October 8, 2016, at his residence in Columbia, TN.Born December 14, 1946, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, he was the son of the late Harvey Palmer and the late Evelyn Shoffner Palmer Davis. He graduated high school in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and earned his Bachelor's degree. He had served in the U. S. Army Reserve for six years.At an early age, Mark knew exactly what he wanted as a vocation, and at age 16, he convinced the advertising manager of the Daily Ardmoreite in Ardmore, Oklahoma to hire him as an ad salesman and go-fer during the summer. At age 18, he was still selling ads, but not having enough saved to go to college, his work experiences expanded, selling ads all day and starting a second job as night manager of a local diner. He joined Donrey Media Group in 1969 as a management trainee in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. By 25, he was named general manager in Sweetwater, Texas, accomplishing his goal to be the youngest general manager publisher who worked for Donrey Media Group.Mr. Palmer had worked at various newspapers in Texas before coming to Columbia to become publisher of The Daily Herald in 1996. He was hoping Columbia would be the last stop in his newspaper career and his plan worked out well as his 50-plus year newspaper career came to an end in October 2015, when he stepped into retirement. His commitment and insistence on innovation and his steady leadership kept the newspaper strong.He also loved photography and collecting watches and fountain pens. After retirement, he took time to pursue his hobbies and volunteered in the community. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.Survivors include his wife, Patsey Cantrell Palmer of Columbia; daughter, Stephanie and husband Robert Foster of Naperville, Illinois; sister, Joyce Palmer Mosco of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; niece, Tara (and husband Thomas Teodorczyk); nephews, Jansen and wife Amanda Bagwell and Mitchell Masullo; and brother-in-law, J. A. Bagwell and wife Linda. Jansen and Amanda's three children, Eli, Lindsey and Rachel, all loved their Uncle Mark.Family and friends will gather for a celebration of the life of Mark Palmer Tuesday from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.