Rock Palermo

Joseph “Rock” Palermo, III, 55, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Rock is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kim; three children, Rachel Palermo, Ryan Palermo (Madison), and Sarah Palermo; mother, Jackie Palermo; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jenny and Reggie Keogh; brother, Lance Palermo (Tonia); sisters, Ashley Palermo (Nick Goodling) and Alisha Palermo; brother-in-law, Scott Seeliger (Sheila); sister-in-law, Keri Keogh (Dave); nieces and nephews, Mikayla Seeliger, Mikenna Seeliger, Grayson Palermo, Addison Goodling, and Reid Goodling; aunts and uncles, Mary Ann Fiorenza, Tony Palermo, Sr. (Tina), Gil Manuel (Brenda), Johnny Manuel (Mona), Phil Manuel (Pam), and Matt Manuel (Carey); and numerous loving cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph R. Palermo, Jr.

Rock delighted in all things involving his family. He could not have been prouder of his children. He enjoyed every minute spent with them, from discussing politics and world travel with Rachel to attending Ryan’s baseball games to listening to Sarah play guitar and speak the Spanish language.  No words exist to describe the void that will be left by Rock’s absence.  He was simultaneously their biggest cheerleader and real life superhero. A talented photographer, he documented his family’s numerous trips and adventures. An avid SCUBA diver and instructor, Rock first met Kim while teaching her SCUBA diving class.  They introduced their family to the joys of diving.

His most cherished hobby, passed on by his father, was flying. He was happiest in the clouds. He was a certified flight instructor and passed on his joy of flying to many. He was an FAA licensed Airline Transport Pilot with airplane, jet and helicopter ratings.  He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary, and held the rank of Colonel. He served as secretary of the board of the Lake Charles Regional Airport Authority. Rock’s love for flying connected him to a childhood dream of policing his neighbors on Palermo Drive. His love for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department enabled him to serve his community as Captain of the Aviation Unit.Rock graduated from LSU Law School in 1992 and from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in 1987. While at LSU Law School he was selected to the Moot Court Board. Rock was a respected attorney and member of the Louisiana Bar.  He was a partner in the firm of Veron, Bice, Palermo & Wilson in Lake Charles, and he was a founding member of the Judge Albert Tate Inn of Court. Rock was a member of LSU Law Center Board of Trustees, American Board of Trial Advocates and the Louisiana Association for Justice. He serves on the LSU Law Center Trial Advocacy faculty.

Visitation services will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. with a Scripture Service to be held at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 1800 Country Club Rd., Lake Charles. Visitation will resume on Saturday February 6, 2021 at Trinity Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be observed at 12 noon on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo Street, Lake Charles, Johnson Funeral Home, Lake Charles has been entrusted with arrangements. The family respectfully asks that visitors wear masks and practice social distancing, adhering to local regulations regarding COVID-19. 

Rock’s friends numbered in the thousands, and the family wishes it could acknowledge everyone who impacted Rock’s life.  The following individuals will serve as pallbearers:  Jay Bice, Kevin Derousselle, John Emerson, Ellis Hassien, Tony Mancuso, Rob Parrish, Poncho Seaford, and Matt Vezinot.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a charitable donation to The St. Nicholas Center for Children in Lake Charles, LA (www.stnickcenter.org) or Concerns of Police Survivors (www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org).