Darrel Gene Palmer, 77, Passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Brush, Colorado on March 15th, 2025.

Born December 28th, 1947 to parents Joves C. Palmer and Ruby Sherman-Palmer in Nubbin Ridge Oklahoma, he spent much of his young life moving with his family following his father's work. Starting in 1952 they moved to Crook, Colorado where, not known to him at the time, Darrel met his future wife Carol in kindergarten class. The Palmer family did not stay long in Crook, however, and around a year later they moved on to Wiggins where his father had found a position at a feed lot. He remained there with his family until they again moved back to Crook in 1965, where he attended Crook High School as a Sophomore. It was here that he again met Carol Ann Law, and fell in love. After Carol graduated, the two were married in Sterling, Colorado on June 17th, 1966, and following their wedding Darrel left the continent to serve his country in Korea as a radar operator.  During this time, Carol moved to Wiggins, Colorado, where he would reunite with her after service in 1969. The two would move together to Fort Morgan, Colorado where Darrel lived for the rest of his life, taking on many jobs throughout Morgan County.

His career following the service began at the same feedlot in Wiggins that his father originally had, and he proudly took up his father's previous role. After a few years passed, he took up employment with the new American Beef company (Later to become Cargill) in Fort Morgan in the 1970's where he worked as a truck driver. He then went on with his new skills to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad Company, continuing as a truck driver and sometimes helping to work on the tracks. After working the railroad Darrel took up work with American Lumber as a yard-man over the course of seven years, and developed the skills that he needed to finally become his own boss. He left the lumber yard to begin general contracting, which he would continue until he decided to retire at 62 years of age.

Darrel was a man of simple pleasures, with his family always forefront in his life. He took great joy in spending time with his wife and kids, and often joined his son on excursions to go coyote hunting. He maintained a passion for trap shooting as well, and it was a lifelong hobby for him since his time in high school. Darrel was also a lifelong fisherman, and loved to spend time fishing around Dodd Bridge road and a few secret fishing holes east of Sterling. He was always a lover of old country music, listening to Merle Haggard and the greats and was guaranteed to enjoy anything on the radio from before the 1980s.

Darrel is survived by his loving wife Carol Ann Law, his daughter Shawna (Nathan) Nygaard, his son Shane Palmer, his brother Roger Palmer, ten grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and three nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents Joves and Ruby Palmer, and his brother Bobby Palmer.

Condolences and Contributions may be addressed to Carol Palmer c/o Rowanoak Mortuary, 231 S. Sherman Street, Fort Morgan, Colorado, 80701.

There are no public services scheduled at this time.