Walter James Palmore

Walter James Palmore Sr. was born on May 11, 1928 in Jacksonville, FL to the late Walter Palmore and Elizabeth Idell Palmore. Walter was their one and only child. He has always loved the Lord. He was baptized when he was 12 years old at St. Thomas MBC in his hometown. Walter received his certificate of membership from the International Church of The Foursquare Gospel in Beaverton on November 8, 1998. He served there faithfully until his illness. He attended schools in Duval County and graduated from Stanton High School in 1945. Immediately following graduation, he joined the United States Coast Guard as a Chief Pumpman and later became a Merchant Seaman.

Walter was called home to be with the Lord on November 8, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Palmore; his mother, Elizabeth Idell Palmore; and two sons, Walker James and James Walter.

Walter moved his family to Portland in 1971 and later to Vancouver. After retiring as a Merchant Seaman he began a career of detailing cars in Vancouver. With the help of our Lord, he became one the greatest detailers in the city of Vancouver. Impressively, he graduated at the age of 80 years old from Clark College with a degree in welding. Walt’s Quality Auto Detailing Shop has been a landmark in downtown Vancouver because of his excellency in complete quality detailing.

Our fond memories of Walt will forever be treasured by his loving  family and friends. He was always known as “Dad”, “Daddy”, or “Pop” to his children and always as “Big Daddy” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a man to respect and lived a life to admire. Our dad was a man of rich experience, humor, character, strength, and sensitivity. His hobbies included reading the Bible, owning and driving beautiful classical cars, listening to jazz, lecturing and teaching his children, (regardless of their age), cooking, working on large household repairs and construction work. He enjoyed working on cars by doing engine repairs, painting and body work. He loved dogs and also enjoyed outdoor camping.

He leaves to cherish his memory, all of his children; Patricia (Gerald) Pough, Gloria P Bryant, Rev. Gwendolyn (John) Hansberry, Brenda (Ronald) Mitchell, Walter J. Jr., Leah (Jeff) Key, Elizabeth Idell Palmore-West, Cheryl, Rodriguez, Sharon Whitehead, Maria, Audrey (Steven) Briggs, Prince, Devon (Samuel) Palmore-Archer, Dakota (Keave) Rice, Pacino (Lindsay), and Gabriel.

Walter has 52 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, relatives, associates, and friends that will miss him greatly.

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