Victor Ray Palmer

After 81 years of a life well lived, Victor Ray Palmer entered his heavenly home on February 21, 2020. He was born May 24, 1938 at the Lawton Indian Hospital to Wilhelmina Kodaseet and Bill Palmer.
Victor was named by one of his oldest cousins, who was a nurse at the hospital and named him after the last hereditary Quapaw Chief, Victor Ray. He was raised south of Mountain View in Zodletone. He started school at Sedan Public Schools, but later graduated from Alden Schools. He lettered four years in baseball and basketball. Victor went on to attend college at Cameron University in Lawton, ultimately earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado.
Victor was a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe. His Indian name was Tde’ a’ dau, meaning “they were all there”, given to him by James Two Hatchet. He was Chief Judge of Standing Rock Tribal Court, Fort Yates, ND, and General Counsel for Standing Rock Industries Gaming Commission for the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas. Recently, Victor was an inspector for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Dallas, TX. He was also an Economic Development Planner for the Kiowa Tribe, Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, Apache Tribe, and Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. In addition, Victor was President for the American Indian Exposition, served on the Kiowa Business Committee for four years and was Vice Chairman and Treasurer for two years.
Victor was successful in all of his business ventures, but his proudest accomplishment was his vision and foresight of creating the Kiowa Tribal Complex for his people and generations to come. He also cherished his time as Sr. Advisor for Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society and was a proud member of Kiowa Tia-Piah Society.
Victor was an avid fan of the OSU Cowboys. He was also an excellent chef and owned the Italian Oven in Oklahoma City. He found great joy in going to pow-wows and participated as a Southern Straight Dancer.
He was preceded in passing by his parents; 3 brothers, Raymond Tahbone, George Tahbone, and Clayton Palmer; and 1 sister, Jennie Purdy.
Those left to continue his legacy include his loving wife of 59 ½ years, Mayredean Palmer; children, Lester James Palmer and Sherill and Courtney Ray Palmer and Darrell Washington; 4 grandchildren, Laura Huntinghorse and Carlos, Statia Guoladdle and Beau, Dustin Palmer and Schrenna, and Summer Palmer and Jared; 16 great-grandchildren, C.J, Alyssa, Brock, Sherill, Shenoah, Nadia, Aidan, Dwayne, Calvin, Mayredean, Ah-kee-mah, Brooklyn, Cortlyn, Dustin Jr., Jordan, and Lillian and sister, Dorothy Palmer. He is also survived by a host of other loving extended family and friends.
Victor was a beautiful man and has served his purpose. God gave him beautiful families to enjoy and love, now we let God love and enjoy him throughout eternity.


Visitation is 3:00pm to 8:00pm, Monday, February 24, 2020 at Resthaven Funeral Home, 500 S.W. 104th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73139. Services are 10:00am, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at First Baptist Church, 700 W Petree Rd, Anadarko, OK 73005. Interment will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. Condolences may be shared at www.ResthavenOKC.com