MS HC54

Honors Jeremiah Joseph "Jerry" O'Keefe, III, who passed away on August 23, 2016, at age 93, recognizing his service as a World War II fighter pilot and civic leader.

Commends O'Keefe's military service as an Ace Fighter Pilot with the Marine Corps Death Rattlers Fighter Squadron from 1943-1945, where he destroyed seven enemy planes and received the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Congressional Gold Medal.

Recognizes O'Keefe's business career, including his expansion of O'Keefe Funeral Home and co-founding of Gulf National Life Insurance Company, which grew to serve 200 affiliated funeral homes.

Acknowledges his public service as a Mississippi House Representative (1960) and Biloxi Mayor for eight years, during which he transformed downtown Biloxi and expanded the city's harbor for commercial shrimping.

Extends condolences to his family and directs that copies of the resolution be furnished to O'Keefe's family, the Biloxi City Council, and the Capitol Press Corps.