MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Hewes, Dawkins, Moffatt, Robertson, Cuevas, Lee (47th), Frazier, Jordan
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE HUMANITARIAN SERVICE OF DR. JOHN B. O'KEEFE AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE TO HIS FAMILY UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, Dr. John B. O'Keefe died Sunday, March 14, 2004, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John B. O'Keefe was a devoted husband and father to his family; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe was known for devoting his time, medical talents and wealth to the service of his fellowman; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe was born January 30, 1925, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe attended Sacred Heart High School in Biloxi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945, earning his pilot wings and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe attended Loyola University in New Orleans, graduated from the Tulane School of Medicine in 1951 and obtained his specialty in Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe retired from his full-time practice in Biloxi in 1989; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe continued to practice Orthopedics from 1990 to 1997 with the New Orleans Orthopedic Clinic; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe loved helping people and often treated patients who could not afford his services; and
WHEREAS, in the summer of 1968, Dr. O'Keefe volunteered to be a physician to the Vietnamese Civilians in Vietnam through the American Medical Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe was a respected Orthopedic surgeon who was a Fellow of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and the Irish American Orthopedic Society; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe was an active and faithful member of the Nativity Cathedral Parish; and
WHEREAS, his faith and dedicated humanitarian service was instrumental in the development of missions that aid the children of Saltillo, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, his generosity helped establish the Saltillo Mission Church in Saltillo, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe also funded the construction of three additional churches, Saint Lucian, Saint Susanna and Saint David outside of Saltillo, in honor of members of his family; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Keefe was a supporter of the St. Vincent Society, the Covenant House in New Orleans and Marinoll Missions; and
WHEREAS, in recognition and gratitude for his 25 years of faithful support of the Benedictine Mission House, Dr. O'Keefe received an Apostolic Blessing in 2002 from Pope John Paul II; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John B. O'Keefe is survived by his daughter, Colleen O'Keefe Rush, and her husband, Dr. Daniel S. Rush, of Johnson City, Tennessee; his sons, Dennis C. O'Keefe and his wife, Shellie Semski O'Keefe of Biloxi, Mississippi; Daniel B. O'Keefe and his wife, Celeste Foster O'Keefe of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and David S. O'Keefe and his wife, Rebecca Borries O'Keefe of Biloxi, Mississippi; his sister, Alice O'Keefe Sebastian of Biloxi, Mississippi; and his brother, Jeremiah J. O'Keefe III of Biloxi, Mississippi; and is also survived by 13 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Senate to recognize and commend the humanitarian service of Mississippians such as Dr. John B. O'Keefe, who devoted his life to serving his family, his faith and his fellowman:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of the humanitarian service of Dr. John B. O'Keefe and express our deepest sympathy to his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. John B. O'Keefe.