Sam Michael Palmeri passed away Thursday, October 27 at the Waco VA Medical Center.

Sam was born in Corsicana, Texas on September 9, 1920 to Joseph and Josephine Palmeri. Both of his parents were immigrants from Sicily and he was always proud to say he was a first generation American. Sam came from a family of five brothers and four sisters and was the first of his siblings to be born in Texas. He grew up the son of a produce truck farmer and had many fond memories of working with his siblings picking cotton, riding their favorite horse, Dan and enjoying nature.

After graduating from Corsicana High School, Sam along with all five of his brothers joined the Texas National Guard and in 1940 with the 36th Infantry Division entered into World War II to serve this Country he loved so dearly. He was discharged in 1945 after serving as a cryptographer in Australia, China, Burma and India.
After the war, Sam returned to Texas where he enrolled in Navarro Junior College in Corsicana and was elected the college’s first Student Body President. He then made his was way to Austin where he first attended St. Edward’s University and finally The University of Texas graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Sam always made his parents proud as the first member of his family to graduate from college.

Upon graduation, Sam moved to the Waco area and began work with the State Board of Insurance. Following that he worked for 12 years with the Farm Bureau before retiring from the Texas Department of Health after 11 years of service. While working for the State, Sam was instrumental in developing and instituting many of the long term/nursing home regulations governing those facilities today. He always felt very passionate about helping others especially the elderly.

On August 13, 1958 Sam married Joan Margaret Duhr of Bremond at St. Mary’s Church in Waco. They meet through one of Sam’s closet and dearest life-long friends, Msgr. Marc Deering who also introduced the two on the front steps of the same church they were married in. In 1959 the couple welcomed their first child John Michael followed by their second son Thomas Joseph and finally daughter Lisa Ann.

Sam was very active in the community including being a founding member of St. Louis Church and serving on the Board which helped secure funds to build Reicher Catholic High School. Other organizations near and dear to his heart included the Knights of Columbus, Toastmasters, Boys Scouts, Amateur Archaeological Society, Reicher Catholic High School Booster Club, Meals on Wheels and the Central Texas Woodcarvers Club.

Sam was well known in the community and so many knew him as that tried and true “Longhorn fan” always wearing burnt orange. After his retirement he enjoyed fishing, playing golf with his wonderful friend, John Sheehy, wood carving and of course watching Longhorn football on Saturdays. One of his proudest accomplishments included three holes in ones at the old Bogey Golf Course. He lived his entire life a man of faith and seldom missed daily Mass. He loved this Country, his fellow man and never met a stranger. We are all so blessed to have had Sam in our lives and all the joy and happiness he brought to us all. As Sam would say, “Hook ‘Em”.

Sam is survived by his wife Joan Duhr Palmeri and the following:

• Son: Tom Palmeri and wife Katie of Mesquite, Texas
• Son: John Palmeri and partner Ann Venegas of Round Rock, Texas
• Daughter: Lisa Schilhab and husband Dwayne of Round Rock, Texas
• Grandchildren: Crystal Palmeri, Erica Palmeri Danna, Gabrielle Palmeri, Hunter Palmeri, Samantha Palmeri, Emma Schilhab, Marcus Palmeri, Faith Resendez and Cade Schilhab
• Great Grandchildren: Andrew (AJ) Danna Jr. and one more great-grandson due January 2017

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Harrison Senior Center of Waco at 1718 N 42nd St, Waco, TX 76710.

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