Jocelyn Kay Palmer Harris

Feb. 12, 1978-Oct. 29, 202

Jocelyn Kay Palmer Harris of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed from this hiking realm to the next adventure on Oct. 29, 2022.

Jocelyn was born Feb. 12, 1978, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Paul and Claudette Palmer, their fourth child and first daughter. Her early years were spent happily working alongside her parents and brothers and eventually her younger twin sisters.

In 1989 her family relocated to St. George, Utah, where she gained her love for outdoor adventure and fortified her strong work ethic and grit working alongside her parents landscaping in the blistering heat of St. George. She graduated from Pine View High School in 1996 then attended Dixie College, where she was elected student body president 1998-99. While president she fought to help make Dixie College a four-year university.

Jocelyn served an LDS mission to Donetsk, Ukraine, where she learned to love the people and returned to serve them 20 years later.

She married Tom Harris in the St. George LDS Temple on March 10, 2001.  They headed out on a journey that led them on wonderful adventures. As they taught English in Taiwan, got through medical training in Burlington, Vermont, and Columbus, Ohio, went on dozens of humanitarian and medical aid trips and visited many countries around the world, Jocelyn collected friends that she kept close until her last day.

During their time in the eastern U.S., Jocelyn brought four beautiful children into the world; Sequoia, Danny, Avery and Ruby were her everything. Later, she would venture back to her beloved Ukraine to bring Stas into their family. Most of her days were spent in service to her kids.

Jocelyn and Tom settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and she immediately set to making her mark. Countless people would call Jocelyn “my best friend” because she was a genuine friend to all. The stories are endless of Jocelyn remembering important moments in the lives of family, friends and neighbors and sending cards and gifts at just the right moment. She was the heart of so many social, church and school groups. She most recently has been dubbed “team Mom” of the Air Academy Mountain Bike Team, working tirelessly to support her kids and their friends.

Jocelyn lived every minute of her life to the fullest. She set ambitious goals for herself and then doggedly worked at them. An avid hiker, she had completed 50 14ers, many with her daughters in tow. She was agile, strong, and tough as nails, but also kind, caring and thoughtful. She pushed herself to be the best human she could envision, constantly exceeding personal goals and serving others in the process.

Jocelyn is survived by her husband Thomas LeRoy Harris, children Stas Thomas, Sequoia Kay, Daniel Paul, Avery Elaine and Ruby Anne; parents Paul and Claudette Palmer and mother-in-law Andrea Harris Augenstein; siblings Judd (Michon) Palmer, Jason (Brittnee) Palmer, Juston (Misty) Palmer, Roslyn (Jared) Parry, Roxane (Kaleb) Demille; Tom’s siblings Paul (Susie) Augenstein, Julie (Erik) Johnson, Dannielle (Darrin) Larkin, Matheson (Micki) Harris, Lindsay (Matt) Kjar, Heidi (Ryan) Willden; a large extended family and countless friends and neighbors Jocelyn considered family.

Funeral services were to be held Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Lexington LDS church building, 8710 Lexington Dr, Colorado Springs, Colorado. A viewing was to precede the services at the same location.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at noon at the St. George City Cemetery, 650 East Tabernacle St., St. George, Utah. There will be a viewing prior to the graveside from 10-11:30 a.m. at the chapel located on 550 E. 700 S., St. George.

A celebration of life will follow the graveside services at the Palmer Residence, 1842 S. 3430 E., St George.

Jocelyn loved flowers, but she loved serving even more, so consider a donation to one of your favorite charities in her name or one of her favorite charities.

The Shalom Foundation and the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center in Guatemala City, Guatemala

Humanitarian Organization that Jocelyn and her Family Volunteer with in Guatemala and Africa

Lena Contor is a longtime friend of Jocelyn that has worked tirelessly to provide relief to the refugees in Ukraine

Condolences may be shared on the McMillan Mortuary website.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!