Frank G. Palms' Obituary
Fransciscus G Palms (Frank) passed away peacefully in his sleep early on Easter Monday, April
1, 2024.
A Funeral Mass celebrating Frank’s life will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Light of Christ
Catholic Church, Clearwater, FL at 10:00 am. Internment following the mass will be at Calvary
Catholic Cemetery, Clearwater, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The
House of Prayer, @divineprovidence.org. Arrangements are being handled by Moss Feaster
Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family on
mossfeaster.com.
Frank was born in New York, NY to Peter and Mimi (DeJong) Palms Sr. on September 24, 1943.
His family immigrated from the Netherlands to the United States, and the Palms family of five (3
sons) settled in Clearwater Beach, building and managing The Five Palms Resort. Frank grew
up helping his parents entertain visiting guests from around the world. He enjoyed years of
boating and fishing the bays and Gulf waters, selling his mullet catch before school as a child,
and harvesting stone crabs throughout his adult years. Vacations in Englewood with family
were also highlights of his life. He never lost his joy of the water and had a wealth of
knowledge of water-related activities. He was also an avid chess player, and could converse in
his native Dutch language throughout his life.
Frank graduated from Clearwater High School, and then attended FSU where he met his wife,
graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Business. Then, inspired by his older brother John, he
entered Officer Training School, where he excelled, graduating in the top of his class and
earning pilot status. In Viet Nam, he operated an F-100 fighter jet on multiple combat missions
and felt lifelong pride for serving his country. Following the war, he returned to Clearwater, and
worked for GTE, progressing from sales to systems analyst, and later, worked for Dillards Corp.
Frank’s Catholic faith was the most defining aspect of his life. He was honored to serve a a
member of the Knights of Columbus and is a former Grand Knight. He volunteered many hours
in various church-related ministries during his working years and retirement. His church family
was a life-sustaining joy for him, even as his service-related Parkinson’s disease limited his
abilities. Frank passed away blessed by God without pain, or fear, with his wife at his side and
his rosary beads clasped in his hand.
Surviving is his wife Frances (Zambito) Palms; daughters Kelly (Dr Peter) Quarles of Sarasota,
FL, Suzanne Palms, Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Dr Ross (Michaella) Quarles of Miami, FL,
Read Quarles of Sarasota, FL; one brother, Dr. John Palms, PhD of Charleston, SC; cousin
Henny Palms (Theo) Albers, of the Netherlands, and multiple nieces and nephews.
Preceding Frank in death are his parents, and his oldest brother, Peter Palms, Jr, Seattle.
What’s your fondest memory of Frank?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frank?
Share a story where Frank's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frank you’ll never forget.
How did Frank make you smile?
