John Francis Kiefer

1963 - 2023

KIEFER, John Francis, of Clifton, Va., died suddenly Sunday, February 26, 2023. He was 59 years old.

John was big-hearted and generous to all and this loss will be felt by many. John is survived by his wife, Meaghan; and sons, John Mitchell and Brent Charles.

John was a beloved member of a large family, including his sister, Colleen Kiefer Cress (Russ); and his brothers, Chris Kiefer (Roxann), Tim Kiefer (Kim), all living in Richmond, Va. and Patrick O'Connor (Ellen) of Raleigh, N.C.; his stepsisters, Cammy Carleton (Jim) of Richmond, Va., Beth Baker (Tom) of Arlington, Va., Stephanie Heintzleman (Andy) of Charlottesville, Va. and Tracy Clark of Richmond, Va.; his father-in-law, Brian Shevlin (Joyce) of Fairfax, Va.; mother-in-law, Jerri Schneider Shevlin of Wichita Falls, Texas; brother-in-law, Michael Shevlin (Virginia) of Fairfax, Va.; sister-in-law, Maureen Shevlin Gutierrez (Sonny) of Dallas, Texas. He was an adoring uncle to 24 nieces and nephews and two grandnephews. He is also survived by his aunt, Kate Liebrich Kenniff; and uncles, Pat Kiefer (Marianne) and Stan Keil; and numerous cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Charles Kiefer and Margaret Liebrich Kiefer O'Connor; his stepfather, Robert Francis O'Connor; his grandparents, Francis Joseph and Marjorie O'Brien Liebrich, and John Simon and Maxine Mack Kiefer; and his brother-in-law, Matthew Shevlin.

John was born on November 25, 1963, in Palatine, Illinois and was raised in Richmond, Virginia. His father passed away when John was six years old. His mother, along with Grandpa Liebrich, raised him, Colleen, Chris and Tim in the Woodmont neighborhood down the street from their parish and school St. Edward's the Confessor. He formed many lifelong friends at St. Edwards, Benedictine High School (1982) and Virginia Military Institute (1986).

Upon graduating from VMI with a degree in mechanical engineering, he followed in his father's footsteps becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. John achieved his childhood dream of a career in aeronautics by serving as a naval flight officer on missions around the globe. After his military service, John had a career in the telecommunications industry, most recently with the Federal Communications Commission.

John was a very devoted husband and father. He and Meaghan married in 1994 and shared a deep love for one another. John was most proud of their two wonderful sons, Mitch and Brent. He was an enthusiastic supporter of them and their activities and could always be found – and often heard – on the sidelines, in the stands, or behind the grill. He made friends, best friends, everywhere, but he cherished and maintained each relationship with individualized attention. He embodied his favorite mantra "have a good time, all the time."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton, Va. There will be a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3 at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Leukemia Lymphoma Society, St. Edward-Epiphany Catholic School, 10701 W. Huguenot Rd., Richmond, Va. 23235, or the charity of your choice.