1982
Christopher
2011
Christopher James Palmatier
June 30, 1982 — November 3, 2011
Christopher James Palmatier
AUSTIN, TX/EDINBURG - Christopher James Palmatier, born on June 30, 1982, lost his five-¬year battle with cancer on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas. He was surrounded by his loving parents, sister, and aunt, and a team of skilled and dedicated health professionals at Seton Main ICU the time of his passing to the greater heavens. Thinking back to this time, it was difficult to distinguish who among the family provided the most courage and all agree that it was Christopher himself; always thinking of others before himself.
Christopher is lovingly survived by his parents, Randy and Caro Palmatier from Lakeway, Texas; his sister Rebekah Palmatier from Lakeway, Texas; his half-sister, Elsa Martinez from Odessa, Texas; his maternal grandmother, Macaria Gorena from Edinburg, Texas; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Palmatier from Lakeway, Texas; his aunt, Mariella Gorena from McAllen, Texas, his uncle, Robert Gorena, Jr. from Edinburg, Texas and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Roberto E. Gorena Sr.; by his aunt, Janet Kay Palmatier; and his uncles, Raul Rene Gorena, and Daniel David Gorena.
Christopher spent most of his childhood in Edinburg, Texas. He attended Canterbury Elementary School and it was there that he nurtured his love for inquiry and learning and his passion for tennis. He continued his education at South Junior High School and moved with his family to Austin in 1996. Christopher attended and graduated from Lake Travis High School in 2000. He attended and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University and received his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2009.
It was during Christopher’s first year in law school that he was diagnosed with his cancer. This was a true test of his character. He never allowed his body to interfere with his mission in life – to serve others less fortunate by doing the “right thing”. Chris served as a great inspiration to his fellow classmates and faculty at Thurgood Marshall. It wasn’t about his disease – it was about how he responded to it. He stayed steady to his course of earning his law degree by focusing on the present and continuing to move forward. When fellow students felt like they could go no further and wanted to give up, Christopher would serve as an inspiration to find their strengths and stay the course.
It can be said that Christopher experienced more in his short 29 years on this earth than most who live out a long stretch of years. He had a brilliant mind, an insightful soul, a kind heart, and a growing faith in his Lord and Master. He loved experiencing amazing adventures, was determined to lift the hearts of others by adding humor to their lives, was passionate about searching for the truth in every given situation, and learned to grow his faith through every victory and hurdle. It is no wonder that so many have such fond memories that will keep him alive forever.
God gave us Christopher to serve as an example of a life flawed, yet beautiful. His life serves as a reminder that we too will go the full circle of life and death and must live life to its fullest. We may choose to do this by making the right choices, always spending our time with those who mean the most and doing the things that matter the most. Chris grounded himself by relying on his faith to keep him anchored and prepare him for meeting his Lord and Savior. His battle with cancer made him stronger, wiser, and unforgettable.
His family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Christopher House in his loving memory. Contact Hospice Austin at 4107 Spice Wood Springs Rd., Austin, Texas 78759: Phone # (512) 322- 0747. The family also wants to recognize and thank the dedicated staff at the 7th floor at Seton Main.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg, Texas. The Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2011, at El Buen Pastor Methodist Church, located at 705 East University Dr., Edinburg, Texas. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.
Funeral services are entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton Rd., Edinburg, Texas, 78539 (956) 380-1416.
AUSTIN, TX/EDINBURG - Christopher James Palmatier, born on June 30, 1982, lost his five-¬year battle with cancer on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas. He was surrounded by his loving parents, sister, and aunt, and a team of skilled and dedicated health professionals at Seton Main ICU the time of his passing to the greater heavens. Thinking back to this time, it was difficult to distinguish who among the family provided the most courage and all agree that it was Christopher himself; always thinking of others before himself.
Christopher is lovingly survived by his parents, Randy and Caro Palmatier from Lakeway, Texas; his sister Rebekah Palmatier from Lakeway, Texas; his half-sister, Elsa Martinez from Odessa, Texas; his maternal grandmother, Macaria Gorena from Edinburg, Texas; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Palmatier from Lakeway, Texas; his aunt, Mariella Gorena from McAllen, Texas, his uncle, Robert Gorena, Jr. from Edinburg, Texas and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Roberto E. Gorena Sr.; by his aunt, Janet Kay Palmatier; and his uncles, Raul Rene Gorena, and Daniel David Gorena.
Christopher spent most of his childhood in Edinburg, Texas. He attended Canterbury Elementary School and it was there that he nurtured his love for inquiry and learning and his passion for tennis. He continued his education at South Junior High School and moved with his family to Austin in 1996. Christopher attended and graduated from Lake Travis High School in 2000. He attended and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University and received his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2009.
It was during Christopher’s first year in law school that he was diagnosed with his cancer. This was a true test of his character. He never allowed his body to interfere with his mission in life – to serve others less fortunate by doing the “right thing”. Chris served as a great inspiration to his fellow classmates and faculty at Thurgood Marshall. It wasn’t about his disease – it was about how he responded to it. He stayed steady to his course of earning his law degree by focusing on the present and continuing to move forward. When fellow students felt like they could go no further and wanted to give up, Christopher would serve as an inspiration to find their strengths and stay the course.
It can be said that Christopher experienced more in his short 29 years on this earth than most who live out a long stretch of years. He had a brilliant mind, an insightful soul, a kind heart, and a growing faith in his Lord and Master. He loved experiencing amazing adventures, was determined to lift the hearts of others by adding humor to their lives, was passionate about searching for the truth in every given situation, and learned to grow his faith through every victory and hurdle. It is no wonder that so many have such fond memories that will keep him alive forever.
God gave us Christopher to serve as an example of a life flawed, yet beautiful. His life serves as a reminder that we too will go the full circle of life and death and must live life to its fullest. We may choose to do this by making the right choices, always spending our time with those who mean the most and doing the things that matter the most. Chris grounded himself by relying on his faith to keep him anchored and prepare him for meeting his Lord and Savior. His battle with cancer made him stronger, wiser, and unforgettable.
His family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Christopher House in his loving memory. Contact Hospice Austin at 4107 Spice Wood Springs Rd., Austin, Texas 78759: Phone # (512) 322- 0747. The family also wants to recognize and thank the dedicated staff at the 7th floor at Seton Main.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg, Texas. The Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2011, at El Buen Pastor Methodist Church, located at 705 East University Dr., Edinburg, Texas. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.
Funeral services are entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton Rd., Edinburg, Texas, 78539 (956) 380-1416.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christopher James Palmatier, please visit our flower store.
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