Terry Palmer was 10 years old when he and his 9-year-old brother, Taylor were hired by their dad to clean the Mining Supply Store in Blanding. This early work ethnic and training eventually motivated both boys to begin their own building companies. Terry’s company, Palmer Builders, began in 1976 and Taylor began his business in Blanding in 1973 when he moved back from Idaho. His specialty was cabinets.
During the Uranium boom in San Juan County (late 40’s -50’s) the Shumways and other miners needed mining supplies and Van Palmer ran the Mining Supply Store in Blanding. Terry recalled, “Taylor and I moved so many things in and out of that building. We used a conveyor belt and marked boxes with different colors of tape to keep orders straight. We’d load and unload boxes of dynamite boxes which gave us headaches.” (See Mining issues: Blue Mt. Shadows 25-27).
Terry and Taylor and their siblings also painted propane tanks, hauled lots of rocks and cleaned the Patio every day it was open. “At the Patio we worked as a family and I gained confidence; many of my friends worked there as well,“ Terry recalled. “I liked working with mom and dad. Even though Dad was thorough, he had good rapport with all of us. He was a good employer.”
Earning his accounting degree from BYU in the early 70’s, Terry’s business training as well as his construction skills kept him employed all his life. His first project was building another “Patio” in Springville when he was single. It was there he met his wife Camie in the early 80’s. He and his family then moved back to Blanding and he started Palmer Builders.
The company’s first project was buying the land where the old CCC camp was and building 15 homes there.
First time owners were able to secure low interest loans through Farmers Home in San Juan County and as a result Palmer Builders had plenty of work. Most of the starter homes were 1100 sq. foot/ 3 bedroom. “Farmers Loan wouldn’t finance larger homes.” They also built Sandy and Boyd Laws’ home and homes for Doris and Dennis Guymon south of town. Tony Turk’s home was the last one built.
Because cement is the backbone of most homes, Terry had set up his own batch plant, as there were no reliable cement businesses in the county at that time. They first mixed cement by laundromat, then moved the process up to the end of reservoir road. Nicky and Jeff Black worked for them during those years. “We poured lots of cement and had to finish it ourselves. Most of the homes had basements, so It was a learning experience!” Palmers even poured cement for Hurst Builders as they were also doing commercial projects at the same time in Blanding,” Terry explained.” Sometimes we’d pour 5-6 loads for Scott Hurst. He was really a good man.” Unfortunately, Farm Home Loans dried up and this forced changes in their building business.
Taylor served a mission to Scotland and returned to Blanding in 1970, then started school at BYU where he met Jenice. That summer he transferred to a trade tech school in Provo earned his contractor’s license. They were married June ‘71 then moved back to Blanding where he started working with Jim Slavens as well as his father, making and installing cabinets. His specialty was kitchen cabinets, vanities, and staircases.
In 1980 Terry began working for other construction business. For over 20 years, he worked doing multi-million-dollar commercial projects in southern Utah. His accounting degree from BYU played an important part in his success completing high-quality projects. Cedar City was their next destination and the Palmers moved to Cedar City and opened a paint store. Terry eventually was hired as an accountant estimator for Blackburn and Assoc. in the mid-80’s working on commercial buildings, the college, church, and state buildings.
During that same time, Taylor and Jenice moved to Sweet, Idaho near Boise 1979-86 where his carpentry skills were put to work. They eventually moved back to Blanding and built a shop on Reservoir Road (where Shawn and Stephanie Jack live now) and lived there until about 1990. Then he built the large TaylorMade shop in 2004 on North Hwy where he worked with his sons: Quinn, Josh and Jared. In later years grandsons came to work and learned the carpentry skills needed for commercial work. Those skills continue today. They have expanded the business to also include headstones; utilizing all kinds of stone, and a wide variety of choices for personalized tributes.
Terry’s most challenging project was constructing the Fire station in Emery County for the Water Conservancy District in St. George. They had to float the equipment and supplies on pontoons. A previous company lost a whole caterpillar once in the process. Another major challenge was a project for St. George on the west Bluff. They had to dynamite the rock out first, then drillers inserted heat pump coils into the ground. The pumps worked like a refrigerator but in reverse. They also built 1 motel in St. George, doing their work at night because of the heat.
Besides extreme heat, St. George had other building challenges. The soil often had blue clay in it and which had to be removed. (It was much like the kalachi clay which caused problems for the Blanding Stake Center.) A vein of clay swells when damp and will break the foundation. They put 18-foot columns into the ground to make sure it would be stable.
From 2005-06 Palmer Construction built Marriott Motels and the large Best Western Motel in Bryce Canyon -- the biggest one in their chain. They also built a large barn for entertainment at Ruby’s Inn. “We worked there for about a year and they were great to work for,” Terry stated.
“Velocity Construction was the biggest construction company in in southern Utah and I was a partner for in the company,” he explained. Velocity also did the DFCN State Construction projects as well as building projects for Dixie and USU, motels and other office buildings.
Terry worked with Velocity and a large crew of men for 7 years. “We completed about 40 projects.” However, when financing dropped in 2008, construction was dramatically affected. The company subcontracted work out to six superintendents who subcontracted the work and at that time he retired and his family moved back to Utah Valley (Mapleton) in 2010. Though he still works part time as an estimator in Orem for Broderick and Henderson. At age 75 he hasn’t slowed down much and built a home for their daughter and recently renovated an apartment for Karly and Scott Jeppson in Blanding
Taylor Palmer’s family worked many years doing commercial work for county schools, hospitals and other large businesses in the county putting in cabinets. They also did the mammoth job of building cabinets and doing finishing work for Allen and Cathy Lund who built a huge lodge and homes in Long Canyon.
The Palmers did the trim work, cabinets, staircases, furniture, cabinets, beds etc. for the Lund's. Janice researched and drew the art used in the homes. The property was originally settled and farmed by William Zimira Palmer and his wife Rebecca Stevens. Their original home is still standing in Long Canyon as a tribute to their hard work and contribution to San Juan County.
Taylor and Janice also worked together building their own home which includes her “inspiration loft” where she writes and studies and can see forever in all four directions! It is where she does her scripture study and writing. Their home is very unique and personalized.
A great sadness occurred in July 2019 when Taylor died of cancer. Fortunately, all 3 of their sons had the skills to keep Taylormade successful and serving the Four Corners area. They and their families continue to keep quality carpentry and construction alive in Blanding and San Juan County.
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