Jerry Durrell

Jerry Palmer, 83, of Kansas City, MO passed away on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at his home. A Celebration of Life will take place at 2:30 pm Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Fillmore Chapel at Unity Village, 1901 NW Blue Pkwy Unity Village, MO 64065. Jerry was born in Kansas City, MO on October 10, 1934 to Lew and Ruth (Palmer) Durrell. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1952, where he was a member of both the band and orchestra. His mother. A piano teacher, formed a youth band that played in the USO’s during the war, and Jerry was their drummer at the age of 7. Jerry began playing professionally at the age of 13 and was privileged to play on occasion with such name bands as Glen Miller and back up to Duke Ellington as well as the Sammy Tucker Trio. Locally, Jerry played for such artist as Marilyn Maye and Ida McBeth. He was a regular with the Mike Ning Trio and played with the Bob Simes Trio as well. Until very recently, Jerry was percussionist with the Unity Church of Overland Park Band where he had been a member for over 20 years. His professional career included 20 years with the film company Calvin Productions and from 1978-1998, he was a photographer for Hallmark. He married his wife, Judy on April 27, 1996 after meeting her at Church. They were member of the same group at Church “Yes to Life”. He will be forever loved and greatly missed by his friends and family. Survivors include: wife Judith Durrell; daughter Cindy Choplin and her husband John; daughter Leslie Cook and her husband Keith; daughter Lorena Hadsall and her husband Jim; son Jim Durrell and his wife LueAnne; son Jason Durrell; step children: Andrew Carlson and his wife Lauren; Brian Carlson; Eric Carlson and his wife Nita; Matthew Carlson and his wife Alane; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; a large extended family and many friends. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, daughters Melanie Durrell and Lisa Durrell, brother Norris Durrell and sister Betty Roberts.