Tracy Arlen Palmer passed away on August 8th, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM, at the age of 77, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease

Tracy, son of Maurice R and Marjorie B (Wrench) Palmer, was born on December 1st, 1948 in Superior, NE. His family soon relocated to Albion where he attended grade school and graduated from Albion High School in 1967.

A three sport star, Tracy was a 4 year starter on the Albion varsity basketball team where he led them statistically in multiple categories, as well as a former school record holder for the shot put in track and field. He was inducted into the Albion High School Sports Hall of Fame for both individual accomplishments and his part in an undefeated football team in 1965. He also competed in barrel racing with his family, and always held onto fond memories of riding horses and time spent on his family farm growing up.

Tracy married Kathy Leifeld (deceased) of Albion on April 1st, 1979. They divorced in 2008.

Tracy attended Kearney State University in Grand Island, NE and graduated with a degree in accounting. He and Kathy relocated to Albuquerque in 1983 where he would become a CPA and spent the next two decades as a professional recruiter for several large firms in the country. After he retired from CPA work, he became a security supervisor locally where he managed events such as the NM State Fair and major concerts.

Together he and Kathy had two children, daughter, Renata and son, Darren. Tracy loved reading to them as children, and was always outside playing a variety of sports with them whenever possible. He proudly watched them excel at both sports and academics in school. He was a lifelong Nebraska Huskers fan, and loved attending University of New Mexico games with his family. He also had a deep love of cars, and was proud of the collection he had acquired over the years

Tracy is survived by his children: Darren Palmer of Albuquerque, NM and Renata Palmer of Littleton, CO. His brother: Mark (Patricia) Palmer of Albion, NE, sister: Renee (Mitch) Budzenski of Arkansas, two nephews and one niece. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.