Gerard Philip O'Keefe

Gerard Philip O'Keefe (Age 88)
Of Fairfax, VA on July 4, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Gerry was the loving husband of Barbara for nearly 62 years; devoted father of Kevin, Kathy, Jim, and Matt, and father-in-law of Diane, Jeannie, and Nancy; and doting grandfather to Kerry, Nick, Jared, Stephanie, Patrick, Bridget, Rebecca, Megan, Nora, Katie, JT, and Luke, and great grandfather to Robbie.

Born on December 16, 1927 in Staten Island, NY, Gerry was the son of a NYC fireman and an immigrant mother. A veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1945, serving as an enlisted radar operator-navigator in the F7F Tigercat night fighter and a Ground Controlled Approach operator, rising to the rank of sergeant. Attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, MA on an NROTC scholarship, he was commissioned a 2d Lt, USMC in 1951. He served in combat in Korea as an infantry officer with Easy Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, with subsequent tours as a tactics instructor and guard detachment commander. Departing active duty in 1955, he earned his law degree at Georgetown University. For the next 35 years, he established and directed the foreign affairs department for the Retail Clerks/United Food and Commercial Workers Union, dedicating himself to the development of democratic institutions with socio-political significance throughout the world, which played a significant role in the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union. As a member of the US Marine Corps Reserve during this entire period, he served with and commanded Judge Advocate General units, retiring in 1980 as a Colonel of Marines with over 30 years of service. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to helping others. A long-time youth soccer and basketball coach, he helped found the Fairfax Police Youth Club; a long-time member of St. Leo's Catholic Church in Fairfax, he served as a lector and lay Eucharistic minister; and he devoted countless hours to service with the Fairfax Hospital Chaplains Office and the Chaplains Office of Ft Myer Chapel/Arlington National Cemetery ("If we can't patch 'em, we bury 'em!"). Gerry was the epitome of a true patriot and gentleman who selflessly served his family, our Nation, and God for over 88 years. One more US Marine reporting for duty to guard the streets of heaven. Semper Fidelis.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 8, 2016 from 5 to 8 PM at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 11 AM at St. Leo's Catholic Church, 3700 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital Caring Hospice (www.capitalcaring.org) or the Semper Fi Fund (www.semperfifund.org).

Arrangements under the direction of Murphy Falls Church Funeral Home, Falls Church, Virginia.