Age, Biography and Wiki

Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe was born on 12 July, 1923 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, US, is an American politician. Discover Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 93 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 93 years old
Zodiac Sign Cancer
Born 12 July 1923
Birthday 12 July
Birthplace Ocean Springs, Mississippi, US
Date of death 23 August, 2016
Died Place Biloxi, Mississippi, US
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 12 July. He is a member of famous politician with the age 93 years old group.

Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe Height, Weight & Measurements

At 93 years old, Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe height not available right now. We will update Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children 13; including Jeremiah IV

Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe worth at the age of 93 years old? Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. He is from United States. We have estimated Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1860

The O'Keefe family has owned O'Keefe Funeral Homes since the 1860s.

1923

Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe III (July 12, 1923 – August 23, 2016) was an American fighter ace, Democratic Party politician, insurance executive, and funeral director.

As a Marine pilot in World War II he received the Navy Cross for five of the seven kills he recorded over Okinawa.

Jeremiah O'Keefe was born in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on July 12, 1923.

His parents were J. Ben O'Keefe and Teresa Slattery O'Keefe.

He was the second of four children.

With his family, he moved to Biloxi, Mississippi at age thirteen because the home he was born in and lived in was lost to the family during the Depression.

O'Keefe went to St. Alphonsus Elementary School in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and Sacred Heart Academy in Biloxi, Mississippi.

After World War II, O'Keefe graduated from Loyola University, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

O'Keefe was attending Soule Business College during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

1932

He was a 1st Lt. with the VMF-323 Marine Squadron, known as the "Death Rattlers".

1942

He quickly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1942 to 1943.

1943

Then he became a fighter pilot with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945.

1945

He gained recognition for his contributions to a dogfight in Okinawa on April 22, 1945, in which he shot down five Japanese Kamikazes, becoming an ace in a single day.

(This action was chronicled on the Dogfights TV series, the episode: Supersonic.)

On April 28, Lt. O'Keefe shot down another two enemy planes bringing his total victories to seven which made him the highest scoring ace in Okinawa at the time.

O'Keefe received the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal for his service and the Gold Star in lieu of a second 'Air Medal'.

Citation:

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe (MCSN: 0-25432), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Section Leader and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323), Marine Air Group THIRTY-THREE (MAG-33), FOURTH Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 22 April 1945. Fighting his plane aggressively in two engagements against a total of more than fifty Japanese suicide dive bombers, First Lieutenant O'Keefe pressed home a series of bold attacks in the face of hostile fire to destroy five of the enemy aircraft. By his resolute courage, skillful airmanship and devotion to duty, he aided materially in preventing the numerically superior force from reaching its objective, and his gallant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon First Lieutenant O'Keefe and the United States Naval Service."

1953

In 1953 O'Keefe bought the business from his father and in 1957 O'Keefe bought his major competitor's business, creating Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes.

1958

He also founded a life insurance company, Gulf National Life in 1958.

1960

After the war he entered politics, serving as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1960 to 1964 and as the mayor of Biloxi, Mississippi, from 1973 to 1981.

The most prominent funeral homeowner in Biloxi, he won a $500 million jury award in a contractual dispute with the rival funeral home company Loewen Group, later settling for $175 million.

O'Keefe was a major donor to and chief fundraiser for the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum Of Art, named after his wife Annette, and many other civic, cultural and charitable organizations.

His son, Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe IV, also served as a state legislator.

O'Keefe was portrayed by actor Tommy Lee Jones in the 2023 film The Burial.

1994

Their family has a fondness for Southern cooking and storytelling which inspired Annette's 1994 publication of a family cookbook, Cooking on the Coast.

1998

Mrs. Annette O'Keefe died on May 16, 1998, after which O'Keefe married Martha Peterson O'Keefe.

2013

In connection with celebration of his 90th birthday on July 12, 2013, a bronze bust depicting him in his gear as a young aviator was installed in the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, honoring him as an ace and member of the Death Rattlers.

The only other person so honored with a bust in the airport is Lawrence E. Roberts, a Tuskegee Airman, Colonel in the US Air Force, recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, and father of ABC host Robin Roberts.

2015

On June 5, 2015, at the age of 91, O'Keefe was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award given by Congress.

Presentation of the medal coincided with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the O'Keefe family's funeral business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

O'Keefe and his wife, Annette Saxon O'Keefe, had 13 children, 43 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.

2016

O'Keefe died on August 23, 2016 and was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

O'Keefe was interested in civil rights and took a stand on racial justice throughout his life.

O'Keefe described an event early in his life that led him to being active and attentive to minority relations.

While in college, he was asked to join a business fraternity.

The fraternity told him that Jews and Blacks were not allowed to participate in the fraternity; O'Keefe told the fraternity that he was uninterested in joining unless they allowed minorities to participate and join.

The fraternity obliged, and altered their policy allowing minorities to join.

O'Keefe then became president of the fraternity for a year succeeding the policy change.