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In Memory Of Edward Palacios, Valley Public Radio Board Chair

Dalton Runberg
/
Zocalo Public Square

On Saturday November 15, 2014 Valley Public Radio lost an dear member of the FM89 family, with the death of the station's board chair Ed Palacios. The following obituary was published in the Fresno Bee on Sunday, November 23.  

Edward "Ed" Palacios, a beloved husband, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend, passed suddenly on November 15, 2014. He was 49 years old. Ed was known in Fresno's medical community as the former CEO of San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, and Selma District Hospital. In the philanthropic community, he was a tireless fundraiser and advocate for Valley Public Radio. In 2012, he was promoted by the SJVR's parent company, Vibra Healthcare, to serve as Vice President of Operations for its nine western facilities. He spent several days a week traveling for work and was in Dallas, TX when he fell ill. He died at Baylor University Hospital. Ed was born on December 13, 1964, in Victorville, CA while his father was stationed at George Air Force Base. In Clovis, he attended Jefferson Elementary and Clark Intermediate schools. He graduated from Clovis High School, where he was student body president, a member of the forensics and track teams, and a cheerleader. Ed earned his Registered Nursing and Master's of Public Health Administration degrees from Fresno State University, graduating in 2003. He was a member of the Bulldog cheerleading squad from 1983 to 1984, and president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He worked as a nurse at Saint Agnes Hospital and Community Medical Center in the late 1980's and 1990's, progressing from telemetry nurse to cardiac and critical care, to charge nurse, to Vice President. He said he wanted to improve hospital care by bringing his bedside experience to an administrative role. Ed served on the Board of the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California. He was incoming Chair of the Board of the California Hospital Association's Center for Post-Acute Care. Ed served on the Board of Directors of Valley Public Radio for 13 years, recently as Chair. For the past eight years he led the fundraising campaign to build a new KVPR headquarters. He was KVPR's liaison with major donors such as the James Irvine Foundation and the California HealthCare Foundation, where he was a fellow from 2006 to 2008. KVPR's staff and volunteers vow to build the new facility as Ed's legacy. For 15 years, he volunteered at All About Care's Camp Care, providing support to adults and children with terminal illnesses, particularly HIV/AIDS. Ed "infused the camp with joy." On October 25, 2008, the 14 year anniversary of the day they met, he married his beloved partner, Jay Thomas Center, in a ceremony at the Fresno home they designed and shared. They were made for each other, finding joy in hosting elaborate dinner parties with friends, biking to the farmers' market and wine tasting trips to Paso Robles. This year, they adopted Labradoodle puppies, brothers, Truman and Walter. Ed's smile would light up a room. He was a kid at heart and his elaborate Halloween costumes are legendary. His compassion for others was immense. Ed fell ill on November 13, 2014, and passed away November 15, 2014, with Jay holding his hand, and his brother, Peter, and dear friends Del and Jackie Billingsley at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eduardo "Ed" and Eleanor Palacios. Ed is survived by his husband, Jay Thomas Center, PhD, a guidance counselor at Clovis North High School. He also is survived by brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Kari Palacios; and nieces and nephews, Austin, Taylor, and Isabella, of Bakersfield, CA. He leaves countless friends and colleagues grieving his loss. A memorial Service is scheduled at St. Therese Catholic Church for December 13, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., the 50 year anniversary of Ed's birth.

In lieu of flowers please donate to KVPR's building fundonline at KVPR.org.