Obituaries : * Donald Palmer; Musician, Furniture Craftsman

Donald (Don) Palmer, an avid musician, pilot of radio-controlled model airplanes and owner of an Ojai shop that sold his handcrafted furniture and desk accessories, has died after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 64.

A resident of Oak View for 19 years and a Ventura County resident for 38 years, Palmer bought the Durango Burlwood Shop and ran it for five years after retiring from work as a Ventura County road supervisor, said Shirley Palmer, his wife.

His playfulness and penchant for practical jokes followed him through life from his native New Castle, N.Y., Shirley Palmer said. She said her husband once showed up to a formal dance each wearing only a loin cloth, and arrived at a Navy recruiting office with a Mohawk haircut. And, when he was in the Navy and played in a band, he bought beer and stashed it in a bass drum for consumption after the service members’ gig had ended.

“He was very unique, very jolly. And he was ornery,” Shirley Palmer said with a laugh. “He had a very good sense of humor, but had mellowed out a lot by the time I met him.”

Both previously married, the two met at a Parents Without Partners gathering and chatted at length about camping, but never formally introduced themselves, she said.

“The next day, I happened to answer the phone at work, and he said, ‘Hello, is Pennsylvania there?’ ” said Shirley Palmer, who grew up in that state.

“I said, ‘Yeah, this is Pennsylvania.’ ” she said. “He asked me to a dance that night, and that’s the way we got started.” They were together for eight years before marrying 11 years ago, she said.

In addition to his wife, Palmer is survived by two sons, Larry Palmer of San Diego and Brian Strieby of Ventura; two daughters, Linda Krull of Oxnard and Cheryl Strieby of Ventura; a brother, Richard Palmer, and six grandchildren.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai with Pastor Curtis W. Brannan officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.