James "Poppy" Palmer

James Allen “Poppy” Palmer, of West Goshen, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, at Chester County Hospital. He was 79.

Born in Arlington, Virginia, he was the son of the late Eugene Palmer and Thelma (Wheeler) Palmer.

Jimmy was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, serving during the Vietnam era. He graduated from Virginia Common Wealth University with a bachelor of Science degree and went on to work as a director in the food services industry, where he dedicated many years of his career at Temple University.

Above all, Jimmy was a devoted family man. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon Elizabeth (Heflin) Palmer; his daughters, Shannon Brooks and her husband Tom, and Brandi Palmer; and his cherished grandchildren, Kendal Roberts, Madison Brooks, Cassidy Roberts, Lane Brooks, Sky Brooks, and Harper Brooks.

He is predeceased by his sisters, Jeanne Judd and Barbara Palmer.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at DellaVecchia Reilly Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380, followed by a service at 11:00 AM.

The burial will be held on April 7, 2026 at 1:00pm at National Memorial Park, located at 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to The Marines’ Memorial Foundation 

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380 610-696-1181