J. Denton Palmer, 78, of Oak Harbor, died Feb. 16, 2011, doing what he loved, riding his bicycle across Whidbey Island. Denton was born Oct. 31, 1932, in Yakima, Wash., to Marion and Vydell (Plumlee) Palmer, a child of the Great Depression. His dad had a 41-year career at the Yakima City Creamery and his mom worked as a part-time bookkeeper for a tire store and a fruit company. Denton attended the first eight years of his schooling in Yakima. As a young student, Denton became an avid reader and learner.

Denton and his family moved to Selah, where his family had purchased a 4-acre farm and orchard. As a high school student, Denton worked on the family farm. He also had time to be a member of the track team. During his junior year, Denton accepted Christ and began a lifetime of Christian service. His faith journey began as a member of the Selah Methodist Church.

Denton toyed with several career choices, including cartographer, forest ranger and pastor, until his second year of college, when he realized his ultimate career choice, becoming a teacher. He attended Seattle Pacific College and on a blind date, met the love of his life, Eva McCleerey, also a student. On Sept. 18, 1954, at the Capitol Hill Methodist Church, they were married.

Denton’s first teaching position was with the Highline School District. He soon realized the pay was less than desirable and accepted a position with the Yucaipa School District, in California. Denton returned to Selah during the summers to work on his master’s degree at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He obtained his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California.

Denton served 35 years in the leadership roles of teacher, principal, central office jobs with six years as superintendent for the Elsinore district and 10 years as superintendent of the Turlock, Calif., school district.

Denton’s fondest memories of his childhood included family camping trips on the Little Naches River near Yakima and Ohanapecosh Camp grounds near Mount Rainier. He enjoyed fishing, running, skiing, hiking, kayaking and a lifetime of biking. Denton and Eva retired to Oak Harbor in 1992. In recent years, he could be found taking bike trips of 60 or more miles at one time.

Denton was a past member of the Rotary Club of Turlock and Oak Harbor, a longtime member of the water district board, the Whidbey Island Bike Club and a longtime volunteer committee member and advisor to the Oak Harbor School District. He was also a member of the Seattle Pacific University Alumni Association, a board member and past alumni president and was an inductee into the Falcon Athletic Hall of Fame. Denton continued his walk with Christ, serving as an active member of the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor. He also was honored to serve as a church elder and a member of Gideon’s International.

Denton Palmer is survived by his wife Eva at the family home; and by three children and their spouses, Cindy Palmer-McManigle and husband Robert McManigle of Oak Harbor, Bruce and Karen “Billie” Palmer of Spokane, and Camilla Palmer-Lojeske and husband Rory Lojeske of Berthoud, Colo.; one brother, John Palmer of Grapeview, Wash.; and his brother-in-law, Burdon R. “Duck” Daugherty of Oak Harbor. Twenty-seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Marilyn Daugherty.

Memorial services for Denton Palmer will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, with Rev. Jon Brown officiating.

Memorials in Denton’s name may be made to the Seattle Pacific University Education Endowment Fund. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, Oak Harbor.