Colonel Truman “John” O'Keefe
STONEFORT - Colonel Truman "John" O'Keefe, U. S. Air Force (Ret.) of Ashford, Alabama, formerly of Stonefort, passed away May 17, 2017.
He was born Oct. 12, 1921, in Stonefort to Arthur and Mollie (Davenport) O'Keefe.
John graduated from Carrier Mills High School and entered the military on July 8, 1942. His military career spanned more than three decades, concentrating primarily on civil engineering and construction.
He participated in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, serving in the European Theater, Guam, Japan, Okinawa, Greenland, Vietnam, Maxwell, Wright Patterson and Eglin.
John was a pioneer in the Red Horse and Prime Beef organizations. His last assignment was at Eglin AFB in Florida as the base civil engineer. Following his retirement, his career included working with Tumpane and Parsons Brinckerfoff Co.
He spent many years in Saudi Arabia and Israel. He was the project manager of the construction of the commuter rail system under the city of Philadelphia. His last project before retiring was in Yuma, Arizona.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Air Force Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal One Leaf Cluster, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of the Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Two Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, Air Force Longevity Service Award with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
He was a member of MOAA, an honorary member of Lions Club, and a life member of the Society of American Military Engineers.
Survivors include his children, Patricia O'Keefe of Ashford, Alabama, Janet D. O'Keefe of Homewood, Alabama, and George M. O'Keefe of Pansey, Alabama; brothers, Mike O'Keefe of Stonefort and Charles (Edith) O'Keefe of Arkansas; nieces and nephews, Dr. John (Jan) O'Keefe, Slade (Annick) O'Keefe, Natalie O'Keefe, Joy (Dave) Hlinka, Jill (Jabaji) Issam, Jan Kerr, Danny O'Keefe, Anne (Don) Jackel, Lisa Baker and Bryan (Connie) O'Keefe; foster children, Marilyn (Gary) Sims and Linda Marquez; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and also great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Reba Lamp O'Keefe; brothers, Freeman (Rose) O'Keefe, Frank (Patricia) O'Keefe and Norman O'Keefe; sisters, Helen (Bob) Kerr and Mary (Saul) Greene; and sister-in-law, Peggy O'Keefe.
Funeral services were May 24 in Dothan, Alabama, and burial was in Ashford Cemetery in Ashford, Alabama.
Obituary information courtesy of Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills.