January 15, 1962 - October 31, 2021
AL Obituary
On Sunday October 31, 2021, Alvin E Palm passed away at the age of 59. Al was born in Los Angeles, CA on January 15, 1962, to Alfred and Edna Palm. He was three minutes older than his fraternal twin, Calvin. He and his family moved to Priest River Idaho in the mid 1970?s from LA county. While in Priest River he attended and graduated from Priest River Lamanna High School, class of 1980. He worked at the local Priest River IGA grocery store until he moved to Spokane, WA in 1988. In Spokane he worked at Tidyman?s and Frito Lay until he was hired at Pepsi Cola warehouse. He worked there for 14 years. After leaving Pepsi he got into the coffee shop business becoming the sole proprietor of City Perk coffee shop in the STA Plaza in downtown Spokane. On July 27, 1991, he married Joan M Howerton. Together they raised three children, Alexandra, Andrew and Joelle.
Alvin had a passion for life and the gift of gab! It was not uncommon for Al to make a new friend from someone who had been a stranger just hours before. He would talk and laugh and discuss just about anything with anyone. He made friends everywhere he went. He had many friends, many who he considered as part of his family. He never forgot a face; he may forget your name but never your face. Whether he was working in a grocery store, driving a delivery truck, working out, attending Kenpo classes, doing physical therapy at St Luke?s, busing tables at Mama Mia?s or giving away coffee, he did it with a huge smile and gregarious laughter. The Northtown Square STCU said that when Al was at their branch he had a way of making you feel like family. This is how he made his friendships, friendships that lasted a lifetime. Al knew someone everywhere he went. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. But even more than the Steelers he loved his family and children. He would often be heard saying how proud he was of his children. He will be remembered for his laughter, big beautiful smile and his generosity to all he encountered.
Unfortunately, in June of 2013 Al was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, NMO. This auto immune disorder left Al to be considered a functional quadriplegic. He was unable to walk, sit up or have full function of his upper extremities. This was very debilitating and left him confined to a wheelchair. Through all his daily struggles he was able to retain a love of life and the perseverance to not let his disabilities get him down.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Edna, three brothers Cornelius, Calvin and Andrew and one sister, Carolyn. Al is survived by Joan and their three children, two brothers David and Fredrick, two sisters Barbara and Annie and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at noon (1200) on Saturday November 20th, 2021, at St Aloysius Church located at 330 East Boone Ave, Spokane WA, 99202. Followed by a reception at Mamma Mia?s at 420 West Francis Ave, Spokane, WA.
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