Paul Palma

Paul Palma, 66, of Prescott, IA., passed away on Sunday October 13, 2019 at Taylor House in Des Moines. His loving siblings had remained by his side since he fell ill in late September.
Paul Douglas Palma, son of Charles & Melba Palma, was born on January 8, 1953 in Creston, IA. Waiting at the Palma Farm to welcome him home was a sister, Linda, and grandparents, Mae & Charles. Paul was what some called “a sickly baby” and was raised on pureed carrots instead of formula. Eleven months after Paul was born, Judy, was born and eleven years later, David, was born completing the Palma family.
Growing up on the farm, Paul took on numerous responsibilities helping his Dad & Grandpa with farming and raising their black Angus cattle.
Paul attended and graduated with the Class of 1971 from Prescott Comm. School. He was a good student and enjoyed the friendships of his classmates that continued through the years. He was known for his perfection in everything, including the way he dressed and spending more time in front of the mirror than any women making sure every hair was in place.
Most people will remember Paul for his love of fancy cars and how fast they would run. He’d spend hours detailing his 1957 Chevy and all those who rode in his cars knew not to spill anything in the car or your riding privilege might be taken away.
A fun Saturday night for Paul was eating at the A&W drive-in followed by a movie at the Strand Theater or the drive in movie on Townline Rd.
After graduating from high school, Paul attended and graduated from Southwestern Community College with a degree in auto body repair. His first job was working in Corning, IA., for Alan McManus Body Shop and he owned his own body shop for a short time before working for Rhine Body Repair in Creston, IA. He was employed there for almost 40 years and took great pride in his work. Everyone in the county knew if you wanted your car repaired to perfection, Paul was the guy requested to do the job.
Paul was united in marriage to Wanda Meisenheimer on June 7, 1975 at the Prescott Christian Church and they purchased their first home Prescott in 1988. They divorced in 2017.
After leaving Rhine Body Repair, Paul was employed as a janitor at the Prescott Community School until the school closed in 2015. He loved working with the teachers and adored the students.
Paul & his brother, David, were owners of “The Shop” or as Paul called it “The Lutie Mays” on Main St. in Prescott. If you couldn’t find your husband, son or friend, chances were pretty good that they were sitting down at the shop gossiping while enjoying a beer or two.
Paul enjoyed life to the fullest and made many friends along the way. He was a diehard Nascar fan and loved to talk about the races he attended at Daytona, Atlanta, California, Taledaga, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Topeka and Knoxville. Nascar fans a long for this fun ride were brother, David & friends Bobby Walter, Billy & Brian Davis, John Sweeney, Ron Brown and Boone Blazek. They rode motorcycles to several of the races, no matter if it was hot, rainy or 40 below. He was very happy to attend the Knoxville National and the PRI Show in Indianapolis.
Another hobby he enjoyed was pulling Larry ” Ironfoot” Damewoods
Allis Chalmers WC in tractor pulls. He was a happy man to win 2nd Place in the State Championship antique tractor pull on his “Allie”. He was proud when Rob Russell asked him to paint his work horse pulling tractor. Attending the Gus Nationals was another fun adventure for him. His trophies and ribbons are proudly displayed in his home.
Snowmobiling with friends, Eldon & & Marcella Ingram, Mickey Hill, Lonnie Rasussen & Tracey Robison was a real ride. Did anyone see them riding on the frozen Nodaway River? What a chance that was because Paul couldn’t swim.
He kept an immaculate lawn making sure it was trimmed & weed free. Christmas was one of his favorite holidays and hours were spent on decorating the house and yard. Winning Prescott’s Best Christmas Decorating contest one year once again made him proud.
Who knew what a good dancer Paul was? He loved dancing at the Williamson Hall, birthdays and weddings. It didn’t matter if it was rock, country and even a good polka, he could do it.
One of Paul’s favorite things to do was meeting his friends at the Prescott Bar for social time and another beer for the road. Owner, Mickey and Paul had a special bond and shared many good times visiting through the years. After Mickey sold the bar & retired he always made a point to stop by to visit when he was in Lenox.
Paul had many friends but we believe two that were closest to his heart were Ron & Norma Brown. They were always there for each other and we’re sure we haven’t heard half of their adventures. In the last few years, Paul looked forward to delivering the daily paper to them, taking Daisy outside and catching up on the daily news.
Last, but certainly not least, family was very important to him. He loved spending holidays together, lunch at Kay’s Café with David, and barbecuing for the family and always making sure your pork chop steak was cooked just right. Family dinners, birthdays for the great nieces and nephews was something he always looked forward to.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center in Creston, IA., Saturday, October 19th at 10:30AM. Burial will be at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Williamson, IA. A light meal will be served at 4:30PM and family will be receiving friends at Pearson’s on Friday, October 18th from 6PM to 8PM. Memorials will be given to the Prescott Volunteer Fire Department or The Bohemian National Cemetery.
Paul is survived by his sisters: Linda Carmichael (Larry Antisdel); Judy Cross (husband Forrest); brother David; nephews: Clinton Carmichael (wife Tammy); Jason (wife Angie) Cross; Jared Cross; great nieces: Kally Carmichael, Chloe & Gracie Jean Cross; step nephew, Luke Samos (wife Kayla) and baby daughter; Mattie also survive.
Preceding Paul in death were his parents; niece, Nicole Carmichael and step nephew, Matt Samos.
Until we meet again, Paul, you will be missed but will always remain in our hearts.