Michael was born in Billings, Montana. He attended public schools in Missoula, Montana, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy from the University of Montana. He went on to earn his PhD at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He is survived by Connie Marie Palmer, his wife; a son, Derek, and his wife, Chandra; a granddaughter, Krista Jean Albers, and her husband, Daniel; two grandsons, Jayden and Kason; three step-grandchildren, Chloe, Bryson, and Garrett; and two great-granddaughters, Lilith and Rose.

Family members include his brother, Rex (Donna), and sister, Deb Eby (Mike); sister-in-law, Levonne Campbell (Kirby); and brother-in-law, Ken Weber (Kathy); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Thelma; parents-in-law, Fred and Esther Weber; and a son, Bradley Charles.

Michael was employed at Evangel University as professor of philosophy from 1985 to 2006. He also served as department chairperson and director of Project Envision, funded by the Lilly Foundation. In 2006, he began work at Regent University as Dean of the Divinity School and later as professor. He continued his work there until his death. He is well-loved by hundreds of students and colleagues at both universities.

He was active in several professional societies. His published writings include Elements of a Christian Worldview, The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Religion and Social Justice, The Holy Spirit and Social Justice Interdisciplinary Global Perspectives: Scripture & Theology, and Sister, Mothers, Daughters: Pentecostal Perspectives on Violence against Women, as well as many articles and conference papers.

In high school, Michael competed in rifle marksmanship with his ROTC team and later with the Army Reserve marksmanship team. His other community involvement included years of service in Springfield, Missouri with Habitat for Humanity. He also served on the Ethics Committee at Mercy Hospital. He was always active in his local church, teaching Sunday school in Springfield, Missouri, and Suffolk, Virginia.

A devoted family man, Michael and Connie celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2021. He loved reading to his boys and grandchildren and playing chess and board games with them. Several family trips to western Montana included visits with family and sight-seeing in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Other travels included ministry trips to teach in Belgium, India, and Indonesia.

A memorial celebration of life will be held at Evangel Temple in Springfield, Missouri (2020 E. Battlefield Rd.) on Saturday, December 17. Visiting with family and friends at 1:30 p.m.; service at 2:30 p.m. The service will be live streamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@EvangelTempleChurch.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to Evangel University, 1111 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Missouri, 65802, to the Michael Palmer Philosophy Endowment or the Bradley C. Palmer Memorial Endowment.

Cards may be sent to The Palmers at Greenlawn North, 3506 N. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri, 65803.