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In Memoriam

Keith Palmerton - Class Of 1953

Keith Palmerton

Keith E. Palmerton, son of Ernest Claude (1911-1986) and Doris Maxine (Monroe) (1913-2004) Palmerton, was born 5 July 1935, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  Keith graduated in 1953 from Okemos High School and went on to obtain his PhD in Counseling Psychology.  He also, in 1962, received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

As a student at OHS, Keith was active and during his 4 years participated in football, track, tumbling, chorus, band, S.R.A., varsity club and pep band.  He also was Class President during his sophomore year.  Beside his 1953 Tomahawk yearbook graduation picture was written the caption, "Jazz will last forever, as long as people listen to it through their feet."

On 16 September 1978, Portage County, Ohio, Keith married Katharine G. Frank.  The couple would celebrate 37 years and 2 children together before Keith's death 9 December 2015, Portage County, Ohio.

Record-Courier Dec 11, 2015  - Gannet USA Today Network

Keith E. Palmerton, of Ravenna, OH passed into heaven on December 9th, 2015. Keith was born on July 5, 1935 in Lansing, MI.

He will be lovingly remembered by friends and family as a caring, kind and gentle man.

He graduated from Okemos High School in 1953 and continued on to receive a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.

He taught Counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary and Kent State University and had a private counseling practice for many years.

His passion was helping others with interpersonal relationships. He enjoyed playing several instruments and sailing. He had a great sense of humor and a passion for building things such as a home, a treehouse, and a 40′ sailboat.

Keith is survived by his wife, Kathy Frank Palmerton, son Kirk (Donna) Palmerton and daughter Elizabeth (Rob) Gura, his brothers Barry and Allan, and grandchildren Danielle, Joshua, Ian, and Leah, great grandchild Eleanor. Keith is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Doris.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ashland Theological Seminary, Keith Palmerton Endowment, 910 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio or Bayfront Maritime Center (bayfrontcenter.org), 40 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16507.

Keith chose to have his body donated to NEOMED University. Please join friends and family on Sunday, December 13 at 2 PM. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:30 PM.

Keith's parents were interred Webberville Cemetery, Webberville, Ingham County.

Thanks to Paul Roney '53 for notifying the Okemos Alumni Association.