22 August 2016
Arlington, TX – The hospitality industry lost a dear friend, Joseph “Joe” DePalma, Sr., Founder and Chairman of DePalma Hotels & Resorts, passed away August 15 while on vacation with his wife in Lakewood, Colorado.
After serving his country with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, DePalma began his career in the hotel industry in 1966 in Windsor, CT. DePalma quickly moved up the ranks and in 1975, Americana Hotels transferred him to Dallas, TX to lead their hotel expansion efforts. It is there where he married his beloved wife, Tyra, and settled. DePalma joined Pratt Hotel Corporation in 1981 where he served as the Senior Vice President of Operations, overseeing the acquisition and development of multi-unit portfolios.
In 1983, at a time when third-party hotel management was in its infancy, DePalma believed in four key principals of success: Success Through Knowledge; Success Through Service; Success Through Communication and Success Through Ethics. It was these four core pillars that DePalma founded DePalma Hotels & Resorts, where he served as the Founder and Chairman. Over the last 33 years, DePalma Hotels & Resorts has operated over 200 hotels and resorts since its inception with an average portfolio size of over 2,500 keys. DePalma’s philosophy of balancing the needs of the guest, associate, management company and owner has proven to be extremely successful over the past three decades. DePalma has been widely quoted on hotel issues in a variety of hospitality journals and has been recognized for his support in hospitality education by the Educational Foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. His teachings didn’t stop with the hospitality industry; in his spare time, DePalma enjoyed coaching football and baseball, leading his teams to several championships over the years.
In 2015, the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, which DePalma served as Past President, awarded him with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts and achievements in the hospitality industry. DePalma dedicated his life to his Christian faith, family, career and coaching. Brian DePalma, President & CEO of DePalma Hotels & Resorts, said: “We have lost not only a great father, husband, boss and friend; the hospitality industry has lost a pioneer, educator and visionary.”
DePalma is survived by his wife of 41 years, Tyra; his children: Lori Müggler and husband Andreas; David Overbey; Joseph DePalma, Jr. and wife, Ginger; Nicholas DePalma and wife, Kris; Brian DePalma and wife, Angela; and Chris DePalma and wife, Brandilyn; 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Nicholas DePalma and wife, BJ.
The funeral was held at Gateway Church in Grand Prairie, TX on August 22; a celebration of Joseph “Joe” DePalma, Sr.’s life was held following the service concluding with the internment at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
