M. James Palmer (Jim) former Captain of the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Department died Friday March 10, 2023, in Traverse City Michigan.

Jim was born in Grand Rapids on August 4, 1939, and moved to Traverse City as a child. He graduated from Traverse City Central High School and then Michigan State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Jim worked for the Michigan State University Police Department and the Kalamazoo Police Department before coming back to Traverse City to work for the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department from 1968-1998. Besides his work, Jim also loved sailing around the Great Lakes on his sailboats Traveler, Knot on Call and Julie II. He made many solo summer trips around Lake Superior and The North Channel. He also raced in many Port Huron to Mackinac and Chicago to Mackinac races with the boat Orion.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter Julie Marie Palmer-Bennington and granddaughter Abbigail Marie Bennington both of Lynchburg Virginia.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023, at West Bay Covenant Church, 12720 S West Bay Shore Drive at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow from 12-2pm at Robbins Farm, 10560 Mann Road, Traverse City.

Arrangements provided by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.