When Thomas Edgardo Palmer’s illness was discovered, it was in an advanced state—by then, it was too late. Never wanting attention for himself, he didn’t tell many people he was sick. And then ... he was gone. How do we mourn, honor and celebrate the life of a friend, a mentor and someone who was one of a kind? How do you say goodbye?
At a meeting with a few friends, Tom Mansfield said, “I know! Let’s have a match—that’s what Range Master Tom Palmer would want.” Everyone agreed, and that the match had to include both USPSA and Steel Challenge. Tom loved them both.
The One of a Kind-Tom Palmer Memorial and Match was held at Blue Grass Sportsmen’s League (BGSL) in Wilmore, Kentucky, April 27, 2024. Competitors from seven states converged to shoot four Steel Challenge and five USPSA stages.
The Steel Challenge stages were Five to Go, Smoke & Hope, Accelerator and Roundabout. The USPSA stages were classifiers 99-11, El Presidente, 03-05, Paper Poppers, 06-03, Can You Count and 23-02-This could be the greatest night of our lives. The last classifier was selected for the match because it was designed by Tom Palmer, and was also the last stage Tom worked at a USPSA Nationals, the 2023 SIG Sauer Handgun Nationals. The fifth USPSA stage, 24-04, The Thrill of the Bill Drill, is a “contingent” classifier, one of nine being considered as a new USPSA classifier.
Everyone loved Tom. The list of attendees for the match read like a Who’s Who of folks you’d run into at USPSA Nationals, only this was a Level 1 event. USPSA Director of Media, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives Jake Martens, Director of the National Range Officiers’ Institute Troy McManus, former USPSA President Mike Foley, Range Master Walt Paegel and former USPSA Area 5 Director Rick Steel were among those in attendance. Tom’s wife Debbie, son Carl and grandson Thomas even shot some of the match stages. (This was a first match for Thomas.)
While an “Overall” score compares apples and oranges, Josh Baldrige had the highest “overall” score on the Steel Challenge stages, with John Moore a close second, both shooting Pistol-Caliber Carbine. Mike Foley, shooting Open, had the highest “overall” score on the USPSA stages, with Pistol-Caliber Carbine shooter Austin D’Alexander coming in second. Some competitors only shot the Steel Challenge stages, but most competitors shot both steel and USPSA.
Upon completion of the match, we adjourned to the Blue Grass Sportsmen’s League clubhouse for a Memorial Service. Gavin Duerson lead the service and invited anyone with stories about Tom to share them. This brought both laughs and tears as we each reflected on Tom and what he meant to us.
Tom Mansfield presented Debbie Palmer with a plaque commemorating the match, the memorial and our celebration of Tom. Then in true shooting fashion, we continued the celebration with lunch.
Tom Palmer was a selfless man who went through life helping others. We will all miss him. His spirit, love and light will shine in our hearts.
Tom Palmer – One of a Kind
May 14, 1950 – March 5, 2024
Article from the July/August 2024 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
