John "Jack" O’Keefe

“… may the road rise up to meet you…” John “Jack” O’Keefe passed away on March 11, 2016, in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 96. Jack was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 7, 1919, to Sarah Staley and John O’Keefe. He was the oldest son of nine children. His father, a Chicago police officer, died when Jack was only 12 years old. Chicago and the rest of the country was in the grip of the Great Depression. From that very early age, Jack became the “man” of the family. He continued to attend Parker High School while holding down jobs to help support the family. In spite of the very challenging situations the family faced, those experiences forged deep and lasting bonds for Jack and his Chicago family. Jack was especially proud of and close to his mother, Sarah. Many of Jack’s final days were spent honoring the memory of his mother…” she loved dogs and a good joke.” Jack was quick to let you know that baseball kept him out of trouble. He loved the game and the friendships he made while playing second base. In 1941, Jack was recruited by the Pittsburg Pirates farm team in Wisconsin. Jack attributed his longevity to being a non-smoker, a non-drinker, and his years on the ball field. Jack served his country in WWII for four years as a radio man in the United States Coast Guard. He was stationed in Honolulu from 1943 to 1945. When the war ended, he was sent to Oakland, California, to await his discharge from the service. Life changed one night at the Sweets Ballroom in Oakland. The handsome Irishman from Chicago met the beautiful Navy WAVE, Charlotte Iverson, from Bucoda, Washington, who was stationed at the Oakland Naval base. Jack has long acknowledged that the day he met Charlotte was the luckiest day of his life. Jack and Charlotte married in 1947 and moved to Olympia, Washington. Jack was hired by the Washington State Patrol in 1950. For 28 years, he served as the chief finance officer for the patrol. He took great pride in being able to balance the budget for WSP. Major Jack O’Keefe retired on St. Patrick’s Day in 1978. Jack was extremely proud of his affiliation with the patrol and he continued to keep in touch with all things related to the WSP. Right up to the end, Jack would visit the State Patrol headquarters in Olympia. He told stories to the young troopers and delighted in letting them know that he was “the oldest retired trooper in the state of Washington.” Jack was quick with a smile, a joke, or story. Everyone he met became his “friend.” Because of his outgoing and friendly nature, Jack and Charlotte enjoyed many post-retirement years traveling and making new friends. Jack and Charlotte were entertainment coordinators and taught ballroom dancing on Delta Cruises. Their time aboard ship led them to explore ports along the west coast of North America, the Panama Canal, the east coast of South America, and the Straits of Magellan. It was on one of the cruises that the idea of spending time in Arizona took hold. One of their new friends invited them to stay in their Sun City, Arizona home. That’s all it took–let the games begin! Jack and Charlotte bought a house in Sun City and spent the next 24 years leading full and active lives golfing, lawn bowling and dancing with their new friends. During this period, Jack and Charlotte developed a keen interest in their family roots. Subsequent trips to England, Ireland, Scotland and Norway followed. The O’Keefe “kids” were unable to keep up with their parents’ social pace and curiosity to investigate. These were some of the most wonderful and carefree years Jack and Charlotte spent together. In 2008, the Jack and Charlotte moved back to Olympia, Washington, and settled in at Jubilee on Hawk’s Prairie. Remarkably, Jack became interested in woodworking. Bird houses, banks, patio furniture, and domino trays kept him busy for several years. In 2014, Jack began to prepare for his final journey. His body was worn out from all that baseball and dancing. His mind was tired, but never without new plans. Had he lived longer, he was planning on hosting a party, going back to Chicago for the Parker High School Reunion, driving down to Sun City, Arizona, to visit friends and play a few holes of golf, and finally, sweetly, he wanted a new puppy to replace his dearly loved, Juggie. Jack O’Keefe. This man deeply loved his family. He loved dogs, children, Chicago and baseball. He always knew he was a lucky man. A very lucky man. Jack is survived by his wife, Charlotte, and children, Nancy and Steve Paulsrude of Olympia, Linda Hering of Portland, Oregon, Peggy and Jay of Olympia, Jack and Carrie O’Keefe of Carefree, Arizona; grandsons, Aaron, Tait, and John; sisters, Ceil Twombly and Patsy McGuire; and many nieces and nephews on the O’Keefe and Iverson sides of the family who loved him dearly. Jack has many family members and friends who have paved the way to heaven and we know he has been looking forward to seeing them again, including siblings, Helen, Genevieve, Catherine, Frank, Marion, Gene; Marguerite and Ervin Hill; and Len Specht. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joint Animal Services of Olympia, Assured Hospice in Olympia, or the charity of your choice. “…may your troubles be less, your blessing be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door…..” Please leave memories of Jack or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.