Hermiston lacrosse coach Palmer dies

The Hermiston High School varsity boys lacrosse team will play the remainder of its season in honor of coach Trampis Palmer, who died early Sunday at his Hermiston home. He was 42.

Jacob Arnold, who was Palmer’s assistant, is now the Bulldogs’ head coach. Carter Christiansen, the junior varsity coach, will be Arnold’s assistant.

The Bulldogs (2-3) will resume play at 5:30 p.m. Friday against Lincoln at Sunset Elementary School in Hermiston.

All Hermiston lacrosse teams will wear TP decals on their helmets in tribute to Palmer, a 1992 Hermiston High School graduate.

Palmer was in his first year coaching the Bulldogs, but he played a large role in growing the Hermiston Youth Lacrosse program.

“He was instrumental in taking the program from a total of 50 kids and doubling its size in just a couple of years,” Bulldogs lacrosse parent representative Kari Christiansen said.

Palmer also was involved in youth wrestling in the town and was a longtime leader of the Hermiston Grid Kids football program. Palmer also coached an elite lacrosse travel team in the Tri-Cities.

“Trampis touched many, many lives,” Kari Christiansen said. “He was the kind of person you want your sons to grow up to be like. He told me that coaching high school lacrosse was a dream of his and he had many plans for the future of Hermiston High School lacrosse. Big shoes to fill.”

Palmer is survived by his wife, Tiffany, and their children, Jake and Megan. Jake, a sophomore at Hermiston, plays on the high school lacrosse team.

Palmer’s funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hermiston Cemetery. A celebration of life is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hermiston High School commons.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Palmer’s memory may be made to the “Benefit Account For Trampis Palmer,” c/o Banner Bank, 101 E. Main St., Hermiston.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 10:46 PM with the headline "Hermiston lacrosse coach Palmer dies."