Steven Craig Palmerton, 1958-2026, 67 years of Norman, OK

Steve passed away February 2, 2026, at home with his loved ones after an extended illness.

Steve was born December 24, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri to Carol Lee Palmerton (née Potkonjak) and Thomas (Tom) Dale Palmerton. The family moved to Omaha. In 1969, the family moved to Brownville, Nebraska.

Steve attended Brownville Elementary school and Auburn High School, graduating in 1977 he was very active in art, theater, musicals and played the drums.

Steve married Denise Moenning on November 13, 1977, and had two children Amanda and Jason. Later, divorced.

Steve, his brother Mark, father Tom and his sister Karen cast bronze sculptures in the family's foundry 7 Hills in Brownville, NE.

Steve married Doreen Redmond December 17th, 1983. Steve and his wife Doreen moved to Santa Fe, NM in 1984, and Steve worked at Shidoni bronze art foundry in Tesuque, NM for 15 years. They welcomed their daughter Chelsey D. Palmerton born November 6, 1988.

Steve and his brother Mark and families relocated to Norman, OK and became co-owners of The Crucible, LLC. bronze art casting foundry, which opened in 1999. Steve, after working on initial set up for the foundry, primarily worked on sculpture enlargements for many artist clients. He also was a talented sculptor, and created his own beautiful sculptures and paintings, many depicting wildlife and nature. He was also a great cook!

In 2015, The Crucible, LLC., Steve, Mark and employees were in a short TV series that aired 5 episodes called “Monument Guys” about bronze art casting.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Carol and Tom, brother-in-law John Huey, first wife Denise Henderson and his son Sgt. Jason T. Palmerton, Green Beret, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group.

Steve is survived by his wife of 42 years, Doreen, brother Mark Palmerton and wife Lynette, sisters Karen Huey, Andrea and husband Mitch Birch and Diana Palmerton, daughters Amanda and Chelsey and many nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring in Norman, OK in the spring, date, time and location TBD.