Judge Kaliste Joseph Saloom Jr.

Judge Kaliste Joseph Saloom, Jr.

Lafayette - Judge Kaliste Joseph Saloom, Jr., whose life spanned an extraordinary century of change but whose devotion to Lafayette, its people and potential never wavered, died Dec. 2, 2017. He was 99. Saloom served four decades as judge of Lafayette City Court.

A 1935 Valedictorian Graduate of Cathedral High School, he received a Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction degree from University of Louisiana at Lafayette (SLI) in 1939 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Tulane University Law School with Order of the Coif and Tulane Law Review honors in 1942. World War II delayed Saloom's legal career. He joined the military in 1942, and served in North Africa, France and Germany as a special agent in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He was decorated with two battle stars for service in the North African campaign and European Theater of Operation. Saloom returned to Lafayette in 1946 after his honorable discharge from the Army and opened his legal practice. In 1953, he became Lafayette City Court Judge, his first, and only, elected position. He would remain on the city court bench for the next 40 years. During his judicial tenure, Saloom instituted reforms to the court's operations that served as a model followed by other systems in the state and nation. His efforts on behalf of children, to enhance public safety and to improve the administration of justice earned Saloom numerous accolades from local, state and national organizations.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette. The Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, will be the Celebrant of the Mass and The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, M.A., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, will serve as concelebrant. Reverend Michael Russo and Reverend Nathan Comeaux of Our Lady of Fatima, and The Very Reverend Chester C. Arceneaux, VF of Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will also serve as concelebrants. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Martin and Castille Funeral Home-Downtown, 330 St. Landry St. A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday. Visitation will resume at 8 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at Our Lady of Fatima. Burial with full military honors will be at St. John Cemetery. A reception will follow at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Judge Kaliste J. Saloom, Jr. Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Political Science, administered by the UL Lafayette Foundation; Cathedral-Carmel School; and Our Lady of Fatima School.

Pallbearers will be Judge Saloom's son-in-law, Evan P. Howell III, and grandsons Bradley M. Saloom, Kaliste J. Saloom IV, Thomas R. Saloom, Adam D. Saloom, Christopher S. Saloom, Ethan J. Saloom and John W. Howell. Honorary pallbearers will be Emile Nassar, Dr. Maurice Nassar, former Lafayette City Marshal Earl J. "Nickey" Picard, Larry Donahue, Micah Vidrine and Judge Saloom's nieces and nephews.

Saloom is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Yvonne Adelle Nassar; four children: Kaliste J. Saloom III; Lafayette City Court Judge Douglas J. Saloom, and his wife, the former Mary Margaret Bienvenu; Leanne Saloom Howell, and her husband, Evan Howell III; and Gregory J. Saloom (retired major, U.S. Army), and his wife, the former Shari Yount; eleven grandchildren: Bradley M. Saloom and his wife, the former Christina McMahan; Kaliste J. Saloom IV, and his wife, the former Bridget Ortte; Thomas R. Saloom, and his wife, the former Angelle Trahan, D.D.S.; Christopher S. Saloom; Leslie M. Saloom; Adam D. Saloom, and his wife, the former Megan Jenkins; Ethan J. Saloom; Alexandra M. Howell; John W. Howell; Katherine A. Saloom and Jordan A. Saloom; five great-grandchildren: Eli J. Saloom, Kaliste J. Saloom V, Emma K. Saloom, Taylor E. Saloom and Minette M. Saloom. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Mrs. Richard G. Saloom, the former Ruth Black; two brothers-in-law, Emile A. Nassar and Dr. Maurice G. Nassar, and his wife, the former Marilyn Anderson; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kaliste J. Saloom, Sr. and Asma Boustany Saloom; three brothers, Joseph Saloom; Dr. Clarence Saloom (m. Pauline Womac, deceased) and Dr. Richard Saloom; four sisters, Alice M. Saloom; Mary Agnes Saloom Azar (m. Dr. Paul Azar Sr., deceased); Beatrice M. Saloom and Isabelle Saloom Haik (m. Dr. George M. Haik Sr., deceased); daughter-in-law, Leah Richardson Saloom (m. Kaliste III); his father- and mother-in-law, Lee G. Nassar and Isabelle Nejam Nassar; and a brother-in-law, George Lee Nassar.

The Saloom family would like to thank Judge Saloom's caregivers, Rita Burney, Carolyn Walley and Jaquitha Jenkins, Dr. Maurice Nassar, Dr. George Nassar, Dr. George M. Haik, his godchild, Dr. Paul "Buddy" Azar, Dr. Harold Chastant Sr., Dr. Jude Bares, and his primary care physician, Dr. Michael Alexander and the staff of Lafayette General Medical Center. He was blessed with many friends, colleagues and acquaintances all of whom are deserving of mention especially his neighbors, Eddie and Ann Palmer, and Dr. David Elston; golfing buddy, Larry Donahue; his long-time city court staff, including Leora Fuselier, Fay Markham, Gloria Wheeler, Dot Ritchey and Belle Breaux; former city marshals Don Breaux and Earl J. "Nickey" Picard, and their deputies; and the krewe and board members of the Southwest Mardi Gras Association and the Krewe of Gabriel. The family would also extend a special thanks to Terry Huval, and Stuart Clark and Channel One Video for memorializing his life and words; and Dr. Ray P. Authement and Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, presidents of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, for sharing with the community his extraordinary life as part of the University's archives.

In addition, the family offers its thanks to the Acadiana Veterans and Fort Polk honor guards; the Knights of the Eucharistic Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; the Lafayette City Marshal's Office; the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department; the Lafayette Police Department; the UL Lafayette Police Department; and the Lafayette Fire Department for their participation in the funeral proceedings.

View the full obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311