MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Hewes, Gordon, Frazier, Moffatt, Lee (47th), Dickerson, Jackson (11th), Fillingane, Watson, Baria, Montgomery
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND RECOGNIZING THE CIVIC AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JEREMIAH JOSEPH (JODY) O'KEEFE IV OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, RESPECTED FORMER MEMBER OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, Jeremiah Joseph (Jody) O'Keefe IV, 61, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, former respected member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, passed away on December 3, 2007; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Keefe was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on May 21, 1946, into a family that eventually grew to 12 siblings. He attended Notre Dame High School in Biloxi, Mississippi, through 1964 and then served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964-1967. He married Annette Longeway in 1966 while stationed in California; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Keefe graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1970, earning a Political Science degree and receiving a regional scholarship to Tulane Law School. He was excelling at Tulane Law School in 1972 when he resigned to run for a seat in the Mississippi Legislature; and
WHEREAS, he was elected Outstanding Freshman Legislator, 1971, for his skill and accomplishments. He represented Harrison County in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1971-1979; and
WHEREAS, while in the Legislature, he cast a notable, courageous vote regarding civil rights and was the only white legislator to join with the newly formed black caucus; and
WHEREAS, after his legislative service, Mr. O'Keefe worked as a Land Man negotiating oil and gas drilling rights in Louisiana, and later captained his own shrimp boat, the Shannon-Toiresa, named after two of his daughters. In one memorable episode, he was swept overboard in the Gulf of Mexico, had to climb back onto his unmanned boat and then stitch the wound in his forehead without a painkiller. He later turned to less risky pursuits, operating a restaurant in Florida where he practiced his flair for cooking. Many of his famous recipes live on through his children and on the pages of the O'Keefe's family cookbook, Cooking on the Coast; and
WHEREAS, he married Helen Granberry on June 11, 1999. His passion for his Irish heritage and love for Celtic culture culminated into two trips to Ireland with his wife, Helen. He was the Founding President of The O'Keefe Foundation and shepherded into life the innovative New Hope Center (aimed at helping handicapped youth integrate with their peers) and negotiated contracts that secured its well-being. He was still involved with the foundation at the time of his death. His family and friends cherish his generosity, sense of humor, quick wit and the kindness he unfailingly showed to those in need. He always opened his heart and hands, helping a wide range of people, from a Vietnamese merchant who needed aid navigating City Hall to a family needing funds to bury a loved one, to helping others without enough food to restock their refrigerators. He was a master of kindness; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Keefe is survived by his four children: Toiresa (Tess) Talley and her husband, David; Shannon O'Keefe, Jeremiah Joseph (Jeremy) O'Keefe and Erin O'Keefe; his former wife, Annette Longeway O'Keefe; his father, Jeremiah J. O'Keefe III and his wife, Martha O'Keefe; as well as siblings, Maureen, Cecilia, Kathryn, Virginia, Susan, Mary, Mercedes, James, John, Jeffrey, Justin and Joseph; and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this former colleague who brought joy and civic pride to his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and recognize the civic and charitable contributions of Jeremiah Joseph (Jody) O'Keefe IV of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, respected former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, and express to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Representative O'Keefe and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.