THOMAS PALMERTON

Thomas Dale Palmerton, 82, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 at Auburn. Thomas was born in Council Bluffs, on Dec. 9, 1932 to Fred Karence and Ethel (Strang) Palmerton.
   Tom grew up hunting and fishing around Lake Manawa.  He taught himself the art of taxidermy and also made his own canoe by the age of 17. Thomas was one of seven children.
   Tom enlisted in the U. S. Army during the Korean War.  He spent his entire enlistment in France painting the mess hall walls because of a knee injury, thus starting his interest in art.  After his service in the Army he returned to the states where he received his formal art training at the Kansas City Art Institute.
   On Feb. 13, 1955 Tom married his high school sweetheart Carol Potkonjak.  To this marriage Tom and Carol welcomed five children:  Steve, Mark, Karen, Andrea, and Diana.
   On 1969 Tom moved his family to Brownville, Nebraska for a six-week artist residency.  It lasted 45+ years.  He opened his foundry and gallery in Brownville, where he produced world renowned bronze sculptures and paintings.  He loved his kids, Brownville, and the river.
   In 2001 Tom married Betty Seward and they both continued to live in Brownville.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings, his first wife Carol, grandson Jason Palmerton, and son-in-law John Huey.
   He leaves behind his wife Betty Palmerton of Brownville; sons Steve (Doreen) and Mark (Lynette), all of Norman, OK; daughters Karen Huey of Nemaha; Andrea and (Mitch) Birch of Clubb, MO; Diana Palmerton of Auburn; step-sons David Seward and partner Dennis of Carnegie, PA; Jim (Patty) Seward of Lincoln; Adam Seward and girlfriend Kelly of Wahoo; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many, many family and friends.
   A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015 at the River Inn Resort at Brownville, officiated by Kevin Casey.  Urn bearers were Matt Palmerton, Stacey Huey, Sgt. Kevin Kyle Coonce, Chikadibia Ebirim, Zach Palmerton, Ian Palmerton, and Jimmy Seward.  Honorary bearers were LCpl. Tyler Huey and, in special memory, Sgt. Jason Palmerton.

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