Dr. James Palermo

He was born on March 31, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio and was fondly known by his friends and family as “Doc”. He lived most of his life in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Jim proudly received his undergraduate degree from Albion College. He then earned his DDS from OSU College of Dentistry in 1967. After he graduated, he took an internship with the U.S. Air Force, where he began to learn about periodontology. In 1968, he was deployed to Panama, and while he was there he did root canals, surgery and all the periodontology that was needed, and he said that’s when he decided he wanted to be a periodontist. “That set my mind right then and there – this really helps people out to be able to keep their teeth,” he said. After returning from Panama, he attended a two-year periodontology residency program at OSU and received his MS in 1973. After graduating, he opened his Periodontist practice in Reynoldsburg and started teaching at OSU.

He taught at OSU College of Dentistry for more than 40 years and in September 2018 was awarded the esteemed Achievement Award. He also received other awards including the Educator Award in Recognition of Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics from AAP and the Outstanding Service Award from the Columbus Academy of Periodontology. He received multiple recognitions from the OSU College of Dentistry and was recognized for “Furthering Patient Education in the Interest of Dental Health” by the Collegiate Dental Health Advisory Board.

Jim served on the Board of Directors with the Columbus Dental Society and as president of the Ohio Academy of Periodontists and Columbus Academy of Periodontists.

Jim joyfully spent his life married to the love of his life, Pat, for over 61 years. He proudly boasted to all who would listen of his pride and joy in his family, including his daughter, Lisa, who preceded him in death, and practiced with him in his periodontist practice in life, and his son, Michael, 4 grandchildren, whom he adored and made a part of his daily life. He valued his family and friends above all and felt blessed to be with them throughout his life.

Jim loved gardening and furthered a great reputation for growing prize winning tomatoes often winning First Place at the Ohio State Fair and the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival, having a great affinity for the Cherokee Purple tomato in particular. He also was an avid sports fan and could often be found cheering on his grandchildren at their events, always following the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Guardians, too.

Jim led a life of humility, honesty, integrity and putting others ahead of himself. He leaves his cherished family: wife, Patricia (Pat); son, Michael, and grandchildren, Alyssa and Sarah Edwards and Jamie and Damien Palermo. He was predeceased by his father, Michael Palermo, his mother, Velma Kebler Palermo, his sister, Anne Palermo Wilson and his beloved daughter, Lisa Palermo Edwards.

Friends may call on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230.

A mass of Christian Burial will be observed on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:30 am at The Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany, OH, 43054.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palermo Fund for Periodontology (#483530) at giveto.osu.edu or mail a check to: The Ohio State University Foundation, University Square North,14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201 or a charity of your choice.

Livestream Link for Mass on Saturday September 7th - https://www.youtube.com/@COTRNA1