CHRISTOPHER LEE PALMER

Big Lake resident Christopher Lee Palmer, 31, died Thursday April 24, 2003, as the result of a gunshot wound.

Mr. Palmer was born May 30, 1971, in San Bernardino, Calif. Soon after his birth he moved to the Long Beach-Orange County area where he lived until he moved to Alaska with his parents and sisters in 1974.

He attended school in Palmer and was elected the first student council president at Burchell Alternative High School in Wasilla. Like his grandfather, he was a hard worker, a man of all trades and master of none. During his short life he was employed as a commercial fisherman, auto and motorcycle mechanic, roofer and carpenter.

His family said that he loved family, friends, fishing, hunting, skiing, motorcycles and the beautiful state of Alaska. His mother said, "Chris may no longer be with us, but we still have the three wonderful sons he fathered and all our memories that will last forever."

His grandparents, Niels and Marie Bjorholm, preceded him in death. He is survived by his three sons, Adam and Ryan of Wasilla and Anthony of Rohart Park, Calif.; his parents Jim and Shirley Novak of Sutton; sister and brother-in-law Teri and Brian Fischer of Sutton; sister Shari Robinson of Blue Springs Mo.; sisters and brother Beverly, Laura and David Novak, all of El Cajon, Calif.; aunts and uncles, Sharon Sleppy and Harry Brown of Stanton, Calif., Ethel and Merl Lively of Okay, Okla., Christi and Bill Bonfield of Gold Hill, Ore., Carol and Ben Krystofik and Nancy and Rick Kole of Ohio; his ex-wives Cassandra Palmer, mother of Adam and Ryan, and Renee Borello, mother of Anthony; nephews and nieces Jeffrey of Sutton, Roberto and Mikie of California; Lacie and McKenzie of Missouri, Stephanie, Tiffany and Jillian of California; as well as great aunts and uncles, and cousins all over the United States. Also grieving his loss are his friend and companion June Benedix and her two children Karla and Wesley.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.