Palmer Ted Frost

Palmer Ted Frost, 92, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Palmer was born November 11, 1930, in Coldwater, Kansas, the son of Theodore and Ethel (Oatman) Frost. At age seven, they moved to Woodland, California, where he was a 1948 graduate of Woodland High School. He then joined the U.S. Navy and honorably served his country for four years in the Korean War as a Radio Operator (RM3) on the LST 1096.

His career continued working for the U.S. Government: Civil Defense in Davis, CA (1952-1968) and Battle Creek, MI (1968-1971); Department of Defense at the Cheyenne Mountain Military Complex near Colorado Springs, CO (1971-1974); Olney, MD (1974-1980); and back to Battle Creek in 1980, until retiring in 1994 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he led preparedness training and exercises.

After retiring, he did contract work for FEMA assisting victims of natural disasters. He was also a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Chapter 0123, serving as President from 2004 – 2012.

Palmer was married to Dolores Losoya, of Woodland, CA, and had a son, Ernest. He later married the love of his life, Rita Christina Ruiz on April 8, 1956 in Reno, Nevada. He took her on a date on a Friday, which went so well that he asked her to “go steady.” They wed the next Saturday. (When you know you found the right person, you know.) Surviving are Rita, his wife of 67 years; children, Ernest (Ron Wolff) Frost of Sacramento, CA, Susan Mosbacher of Placerville, CA, David (Amy) Frost of Charlotte, MI, Ramona (Curt Walter) Frost of Palm Springs, CA; five grandchildren, Daniel Mosbacher, Teresa Lund, Alexander (Lindsey) Walter, Cooper Frost, and Audrey Frost; two sisters, Marlene Rader and Linda (Jon Peters) Gardner. His two brothers, Roger and Delmer Frost, and son-in-law, Phil Mosbacher, preceded Palmer in death.

While living in California, Palmer raised and raced Homing Pigeons. He loved hearing the click on the loft as a bird made it home. He enjoyed most music, especially big band, jazz and country. His grandchildren have fond memories of traveling cross-country with their grandpa, singing along to Roger Miller songs, Benny Goodman’s Sing, Sing, Sing, and the Old Gray Mare. He would stand in the doorway at night and sing, “you are my sunshine” to his kids.

Palmer was an avid reader of Louis L'Amour Western Novels and movies with the “only good actor” John Wayne. He was faithful at watching the Lawrence Welk Show weekly and enjoyed Cowboy and Naval movies. He would translate when Morse Code was used in a movie.

Palmer also enjoyed square dancing with Rita, was often the caller, and he was on the dance floor at every wedding he attended. He collected John Deere tractors, giving his kids and grandkids a fun way to give him birthday and Christmas presents.

He loved camping and fishing, finding spots where the kids could play and hike all day. Rita was the envy of all other wives on camping trips because the deal was she didn’t have to cook or clean, just read and relax while Palmer took care of the kids and camp.  To be ready for camping emergencies, he taught his children to drive their Volkswagen Bug at an early age while on camping trips. He was always the neighborhood Dad who taught the neighbors' kids how to cast a fishing rod, took them fishing with us, taught them how clean the fish, plant a garden, weed, and raise rabbits and chickens. Palmer will be remembered as a wonderful husband and father who put his family’s needs first.

Palmer contributed to his community by serving as a Member of the Dad’s Club of the Catholic Church (in every state he lived), was an usher and always participated in fundraisers, especially the annual Superfest at St. Joseph’s. He served in the concession stands for a decade, supporting Lakeview High School’s Marching Band. His youngest daughter volunteered him as a chaperone for numerous high school dances at Lakeview, which he and Rita obliged. He later “volunteered” to read with students weekly at the elementary schools where his daughter teaches. For 34 years, he has read The Velveteen Rabbit, in person, on a tape and on Zoom to her students. He also volunteered at Charitable Union for many years, once earning Volunteer of the Year.

Friends and family will be received 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Christopher Ankley at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2023, with a luncheon reception immediately following in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.