Friend pulls together boy's 'last goodbye'

A teen is using $500 of his own money to arrange a memorial service for J.P. Palmer, 14, who fell from a roof and died last week.

By WILMA NORTON

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 23, 2000

SEMINOLE -- His friend J.P. was the kind of kid who never let you repay a favor, Jack Tolhurst said.

So, a week after his friend's death, Tolhurst, 15, has come up with a way to say goodbye and repay the friendship of Jack "J.P." Palmer. He is using $500 of his own money to put together a memorial gathering from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday in Taylor Park near Largo.

"When I was in trouble, he always had my back," Tolhurst said. "He always stood up for me. I looked up to him. . . . He used to give me rides, lend me money before I got a job. We did stuff together."

Jack "J.P." Palmer, 14, died last week after falling from the roof of a condominium in Treasure Island. He had gone there with his stepfather, who was working on an air conditioner. No one saw him fall.

Friends and family members will mourn the 14-year-old today at a funeral service at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 9111 90th Ave. N. Visitation is from 2 to 4:30 p.m., with a memorial service at 4:30.

Tolhurst said he hopes his gathering Saturday will be a less-formal opportunity for Palmer's many friends to share stories about him and say their farewells.

"Basically, it's our last goodbyes," he said. "This is something I wanted to do for his mom. I want everybody to be happy."

Tolhurst and Palmer played football together at Osceola High and had been friends for eight years.

Tolhurst spent his money to buy hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, chips and sodas. Someone has donated the use of a big grill and paper plates and condiments. Other people have agreed to bring salads and desserts, he said.

Sometime after lunch Saturday, Palmer's mother, Kathy Becker, will say a few words about her son. Other friends also may speak and play some of J.P.'s favorite music, Tolhurst said. He plans to dedicate the Master P song I Miss My Homies to his friend.

"You know, J.P.'s done so much for me over the years," Tolhurst said. "Every time I tried to do something for him, he wouldn't let me."

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