THOMAS DAVID “TOM” PALERMO, SR.

1947-2016

Charlie Chaplin observed, “A day without laughter is wasted,” and Tom Palermo would have agreed with him. A lifelong jokester who was never in a rush to go anywhere, Tom passed away in his own good time on Monday, January 18, 2016, at age 69.

Born and raised in Houston (beginning January 17, 1947), Tom was the only child of Tommy Charles Palermo and Verna Mae Banister Palermo. His father had once been a tailor in Bryan before owning and operating a grocery store in Houston; while living in Bryan, his mother had worked for Texas A&M University, then helped with the family store in Houston before moving on to The Houston Chronicle. Tom first developed his love for pulling pranks and making people laugh in the store, where he commonly raided the candy bins (while he was supposed to be restocking them) and took in stray animals. In Houston, he attended Looscan Elementary School, Bethany Lutheran (Middle School), Marshall Junior High and Jefferson Davis Senior High School. As a student, Tom worked for KNUZ radio, was a member of the bowling team and a proficient dancer; he remembered being in class there when he first heard news of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Sadly, Tom’s own father died when Tom was a senior in high school.

Later, Tom would attend college, earning a Massey Business School Travel Career Certificate. In 1968, he joined the United States Army and served in South Korea during the Vietnam War as a supply specialist in stock control and accounting. From this experience, as well as his childhood background in maintaining inventory, Tom learned exceptional organizational skills and was “great at finding stuff.” He would later use this skill set as a Purchasing Department Expert for the City of Houston at Intercontinental Airport, where he “knew the place inside and out.” Tom’s hobbies also reflected his meticulous attention to detail, and he spent many hours compiling genealogical records, learning the Bible, savoring historical facts, listening to the news and following all levels of sports.

In 1971, after his army service—and with the help of the Christ the King North West Young Adults Club— Tom met Therese Virginia Hughes, who soon noticed Tom’s warm humor and sincere affection. The couple realized their mutual attraction and married on April 27, 1974, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Houston—a good beginning for a couple of such strong faith. Eventually, their family included a son and daughter: Thomas Palermo, Jr. (and wife Jenny, of Houston) and Tina Marie Palermo (and fiancé David Staples, also of Houston), who Tom loved to entertain with his Godfather impersonation. As a family man, Tom supported his children however he could, coaching their sports teams and attending their band and dance events; at their competitions, he sat and chewed cigars— but never lit them—to try and calm his own nerves. In fact, Tom retired from IAH in 1990 in order to spend more time with his children. The Palermos loved taking family vacations together, trips which often centered on both a historically significant or sports-related site and a swimming pool. Always, Tom lived life at his own pace, savoring each moment—on “Tom Time”—and if anyone suggested he speed up, he slowed down.

Tom was especially proud once both Tom Jr. and Tina realized their goals in attending Texas A&M. Even so, Tom was truly overjoyed when he became a grandfather, in turn, to Tom Jr. and Jenny’s children, Lilly Jean Palermo (age 5) and Thomas “Trey” Palermo III (age 3). He was also greatly anticipating the marriage of his daughter, Tina to David at their upcoming Marriage Celebration on May 14, 2016. His legacy of love and laughter lives on in his family, who will remember Tom in celebrating their many traditions, like playing Elvis’s “Blue Christmas” when the holiday season rolls around, then eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s. His loved ones now remember him with fondness and affection for the man that he was and the memories they made together.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate and honor Tom’s life from 11AM-1PM on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan with a Life Celebration to follow at 1PM. A procession will continue the celebration to Bryan City Cemetery for Tom’s Final Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to St Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church in Houston, TX or St Anthony Catholic Church in Bryan, TX.

Learn more about Tom’s life and legacy at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.