Atlanta Soccer News: Art, Music and Culture: More Tributes to Kenny Palmer

Donations to the
Ken Palmer Memorial Fund
c/o Andrew Egan

Checks may be sent United Community Bank
5100 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs GA 30127

for electronic donations contact the Karon Beyer at cobbsoccer@gmail.com

I read with utmost sadness the passing of Ken Palmer. I remember Ken as valiant warrior, a consummate competitor and a gentleman! When I met Ken in the mid 2000's, he had just returned from a medically imposed absence from the game.

And although he played for our fiercest rival team in the over 35 age group, he was always a gentleman. Ken had an uncanny knack of scoring against us - some brilliant, some ugly-  but mostly important goals against Rovers White. As a team, myself as a defensive midfielder, our defense (Joe, Sunday, Mike, Brent) use to discuss ways to stop Ken, with everything:  doubling up, hard tackling, close and shadow marking, - everything. Some of those tactics would earn us (especially, Joe who suffered most going against Ken) cautions and yellow cards.

During those games, we would go after him. Ken would remain calm, smiling, almost laughing and enjoying the battle nd our fruitless attempts to stop him - even with our best efforts, he would usually score.... And because the teams were so closely matched, there weren't too many goals scored or much separating the teams - so Ken in the end would have scored the winning goal... And after the game, he would greet everyone as friends - with warmth. He understood the game, the battle, that life goes on after the game. But you could see he understood life - that all the struggle in the field was part of life and he left it all on the field.

How sad and ironic that a man full of life, almost indestructible could go out like that. I am saddened even more that I didn't get to know him outside the game.

So as we pay respect to a fallen hero, and as painful as sad his passing is, we must use this opportunity to reflect and celebrate his life.  Ken died in pursuit of what he loved - soccer. I want us to remember him for what he brought to our lives - great competition, grit and determination, but always a gentleman, fair and balanced. 

And at the end of it all, when the ovation has died down, it is the legacies we leave behind that count most. Ken left a soccer legacy worthy of emulation. Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Simeon Osita Nwegbo - writing from Lagos, Nigeria.

-A great competitor stopped by the final whistle ............it was nice to meet his Mom and Dad yesterday. You could see where Ken got his love for life. Truly fine folks. He will be missed.
Thank you all for keeping me in the loop.
BB

-Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that I have just learnt that Ken Palmer passed away yesterday -  apparently due to sudden heart failure.

Ken is well known in the soccer community - he has played soccer with many of us for decades and has been a regular fixture in our winning Hammers team for our championship tournaments for many years (always giving 100% of himself to a game he truly loved).

He will also be remembered as a very special friend and person to many of us - always upbeat, positive, and inspiring. We are all heavyhearted with this news - please keep his memory and say prayers for his family and friends during this very difficult time.

-We lost a very good man and one hell of a player.

-As you can understand it is devastating to lose one of our fellow players and friend.

In and off the field Kenny was always the consummate gentleman. Always ready with a big smile and a twinkle in his eye.

In thinking about Kenny I must have played with or against him for over 15 years. When coming to the field and seeing Kenny play for the opposing team I knew I was in for a difficult game.

When he would play for us I knew our winning percentage went way up. He loved the game , sometimes I think if he could play all day long he would . You would see him at tournaments and he would play more games on a Sunday than you could count.

I guess the “big coach” up there needed a really good player on the team,

We miss you Kenny,

-Awesome striker but even better human been. 
Antonio Ginart

-Kenny was a great man! I had the pleasure of playing many soccer games with him. He always look as good as a marathon athlete and was always one of the best soccer player on the field. 
I suggest we all get together and either rent one field to play a few games in his honor mixing all our teams and the extra money collected from all, we could either donate to Kenny's family or buy a huge trophy with his name on it to give to them. If was a shock for us, I imagine how bad the family is right now. Count on me for any other idea. Kenny will be missed in and out of the field. we lost a great soccer player and friend. may he rest in piece!
Fernando C. Melo
Cruzeiro

-You will be missed my friend.

-Awesome man, liked by all, great player. May God comfort your family and keep them safe until you are all reunited in Paradise one day. I love you my friend, rest in peace.

-He touched many people lives...we will honor him

-Over the years, I refereed allot of his games and We always joked around and laughed in the field on either my calls or his playing. Awesome soccer player. I will miss laughing. rest in peace my friend. Mamood

-It was truly an honor to play against Kenny on the pitch. He will be greatly missed for his play, friendships, and sportsmanship.

Eric Brackin

-I initially knew Kenny from the soccer field, who just tore us apart with his soccer skills. Hands down, he was something else both on and off the field... An athlete and an intellect. As time went on found out how each one of our family members were connected as friends to this day, and amazingly, we lived in the same neighborhood division.
This is a shock to many who knew Kenny. The big man has a plan for all of us, but he took u too soon. See you on the big field. RIP my friend. 

Raj Patel and Family

-Great player and even greater person. You will be missed dear friend. Rest in Eternal Peace.

-RIP Kenny. You will greately be missed. 

~ played with him on the Hammers team in Orlando & pick-up games in North Park

-I had the unenviable task of trying to cover Kenny on too many occasions and most certainly made significant installments into his self esteem account because of how soundly he normally "owned" me. Regardless, he was always one of those guys everyone loved to hang out with, even during the game. Hard to believe that he was taken so young. May God provide the comfort only he can provide to Kenny's family and friends. 

Dennis Latimer

-Great guy. I coached his daughter and played with him on Saturn FC. He was a good friend and will be missed dearly. I can't believe he's gone. Sad news for the soccer community in Atlanta.

Pee Wee

I did not know Kenny personally but I've seen and played against him in previous Jack Frost, Silverbacks, and Roswell.

Please keep Kenny and his family in your prayers - if you can make the viewing on Friday, let me know as I may try to pay respect as well in Marietta.

Let's give a special hug to our families, put things in perspective, and enjoy the game even more the next time you step on the pitch.

My understanding is that Kenny also played with the "Hammers" - one of the team in Roswell O50 and has gone with them to various Charleston O30 tournmanents in SC.

Our thoughts, prayers, and support go out to his family.

C.

 RIP- , we always knew there was a good chance we were going to lose when Kenny stepped on the opposite side of the field - KOP FC