Juan Pedro Palacios

Juan Pedro Palacios, 92, of Big Spring, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024. He will lie in state Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, May 24, 2024 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment with Military Honors rendered by Goodfellow Air Force Base Honor Guard, will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.

Juan Pedro Palacios was born September 10th, 1931, in Kingsville, Texas to Francisca Perez and Ascencion Palacios. Juan was the fourth out of five children. They lived on a farm west of Kingsville in the San Fernando Valley.

Juan received orders to report for Armed Forces Physical Examination February 14, 1951. Juan completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. After completion of Ground Radio Operator, he was sent to Camp Kilmer in Jew Jersey for overseas assignment. Juan was in the Air Force for 20 years stationed across Germany, Europe, and Spain. In the pacific, he saw duty in Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Korea. In October 1953, Juan met Elfriede Schön and fell in love. They were married June 9, 1956 and had three children.

On August 1, 1971, at his retirement ceremonies, he was presented with the Air Force Commendation Medal. He returned to Big Spring with his family, where he started his second career with the Big Spring Police Department. Juan spent 7 years with the Sheriff’s department and after 24 years in Law Enforcement he retired for good in December 1996. He enjoyed tending to the pecan orchard, gardening, traveling and was a long time HAM radio operator.

Juan is proceeded in death by his parents; wife, Elfriede; son, Ulrich; two brothers, Julian and Adan; and sister, Petra Saldaña.

Juan is survived by his daughters, Eva Gibbs and Janie Maddux; sister, Eva Peña; nine grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.