Arthur E. "Art" Palmer

Arthur E. “Art” Palmer, 87, passed away in Topeka on June 14, 2026. A lifelong resident of Kansas, he was born in Emporia, Kansas, on November 18, 1938, to Robert O. Palmer and Mary (Whitney) Palmer. Art was raised on a cattle ranch in Chase County, Kansas and graduated from elementary and high school in Strong City, Kansas. He received his BBA degree from Washburn University in 1960 and his JD from Washburn University School of Law in 1963.

Art practiced law in Topeka, Kansas for over 57 years. He was an Assistant Attorney General of Kansas after graduation from law school and practiced with the firm now known as Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer from 1964 until his retirement in November 2020. He was Managing Partner of the firm for over 20 years. He was a member of the Topeka, Kansas, Missouri, and American Bar Associations. He was a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, past president of the Kansas Bar Foundation, and past president of the Topeka Bar Association. He served for 24 years as a member of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys and was the Board Chair for 10 years. In 1997, he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He was a member of the American Judicature Society, Defense Research Institute and Kansas Association of Defense Attorneys. He served as president of the Capitol Civitan Club and Downtown Topeka, Inc. In 2005, the Topeka Bar Association awarded him its “Warren W. Shaw Distinguished Service Award” for exemplary service to the legal profession.

He was married to V’Ann Stotts and they were later divorced. He was then married for over 30 years to Mary McCandless Stephens Palmer. Mary predeceased him in December 1999. He was later married to Leila Rae Pierce Hawks Palmer for over 21 years, who predeceased him in 2024. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Carl Palmer and his son, John R. Palmer. Art is survived by his daughters, Audri S. Mays (Eugene), Burlington, Kansas, Stacy Stephens Beckett (William), Summit, New Jersey; stepdaughters, Richelle Hawks (Stephen Wagner), Little Falls, New York, Melanie Hawks, Salt Lake City, Utah; seven grandchildren: Paige Medlock (Kent), Maree Ritter (Patrick Terry), William Arthur “Will” Beckett (Anna), Tyler R. Palmer, John James “Jack” Beckett, Brooke Beckett, Tierney Cyren; six great grandchildren: Chloe Medlock, Mackenzi “Mac” Medlock, Maya Holding, Harper Medlock, Arthur Beckett and George Beckett; and his niece Whitney Griggs (Alan).

As a very young boy, and a young man growing up on the ranch, Art participated in all the physical ranch work and cattle drives. In high school he played football, basketball, and baseball and was an Eagle Scout. He enjoyed big band music, played the trumpet in a dance band and competed in bronc riding in rodeos. He really liked the dances after the rodeos!

Art was beloved by his family. He was a strong steady presence of support - available and frequently sought out for advice, which he often delivered bluntly, or with a quick home spun quip that went right to the heart of the matter. In his free time, Art was a voracious reader and enjoyed attending his grandkids’ and great grandkids’ sporting events and attending or watching the Royals, Chiefs and Washburn games. He loved time with family, riding horseback in the Flint Hills, and a T-bone steak. Although he treasured his ranch day memories, he often said that one of the great advantages of being a lawyer was that the work was inside and involved no heavy lifting.

He will be remembered for his love and support, his quick sharp wit and breadth of knowledge. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered always.

At Art’s request he was cremated, and no services will be held. Art is memorialized in the Garden of Faith section at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka and his final resting place will be in the Stoehr Elmdale Cemetery in Elmdale, Kansas in the heart of his beloved Flint Hills.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Bar Foundation, 1200 SW Harrison St., Topeka, KS 66612, or to Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, 1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621.

To leave a special memory or story for Art’s family, please visit the guestbook below.