Jeffrey David Edward "Jeff" Jeffries

Jeff Jeffries passed away on June 17, 2025 in Cary, NC due to a very short battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeff was born on November 25, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA to the late David J. and Lillian M. Jeffries. He spent his early years in the town of Centre Hall, PA, graduated from The Stony Brook School in Stony Brook, LI, NY and entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July, 1960. Outgoing and gregarious, Jeff enjoyed his time at Navy and graduated with the class of 1964. He was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps and served with units in the U.S. and Vietnam. He resigned his commission in 1968 to attend graduate school, but after 10 years of “broken time” he received another commission and served an additional 18 years in the Reserves; he retired in 1996 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Upon leaving The Corps in 1968, Jeff enrolled in the Nuclear Engineering Program at The Pennsylvania State University where he subsequently received his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1970 and 72 respectively. While in grad school, in addition to his course work and research, he became a licensed reactor operator and taught classes at the Penn State Altoona Campus.

Jeff began his civilian career in commercial nuclear power with Carolina Power and Light Company in 1972. At the time, CP&L was among the leaders in the commercial nuclear energy sector which provided Jeff with a series of increasingly responsible positions within the organization. In 1979, he was selected as the Company’s first loaned-employee to the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, CA. Upon his return to NC, he was given the responsibility of leading the CP&L nuclear safety program. Jeff joined Tenera, LP in 1988 as one of the three founding members of the Research Triangle Office. At Tenera, he was quickly promoted to Vice President and Division Manager where he had the responsibility for Nuclear Safety and Licensing and provided overall direction for five offices throughout the US.

When Tenera shifted its focus exclusively toward the government sector, Jeff started Paradigm Consulting Services, Inc. – he continued as President of the company until December, 2024. He loved the nuclear industry and considered himself blessed in that he was always able to keep a full-time, balanced schedule working equally between major projects and oversight/advisory boards. In 2008, Jeff was sworn-in as an Administrative Judge - Technical with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP) where he served on several boards adjudicating cases related to the licensing of nuclear facilities. Jeff was a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, received the Outstanding Engineering Alumnus (OEA) award from Penn State’s College of Engineering and was a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society; he was also a Registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Jeff and his wife, Cathy had one of the best marriages imaginable; they enjoyed all aspects of their lives together and were best friends sharing abundant joy and laughter with an abiding faith in Jesus as their central focal point. Their favorite activities included: family, trips to the beach, skiing, golfing, square dancing, traveling, shooting (moving and still targets), entertaining friends, and being active in the church. Jeff was a man of honor and deep faith. He was an avid Bible student, Sunday School teacher, and small group leader. He always enjoyed teaching and was a mentor to numerous men as he lived-out being a disciple of Jesus to the best of his ability. His infectious smile and genuine interest in others touched the hearts of so many people.

Jeff’s absence will be felt by many and he leaves to cherish his memory his wife Cathy; son Dave, his wife Laurie and grandson David; sister Shawnie, her husband Alan; niece Evy; nephew Jim, his wife Heather and niece and nephew Sydney and Hunter. There also remains a multitude of relatives and friends who loved him dearly that will also feel the void of his having gone on before us.

Our family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Carol Ellis for her genuine love being shown through her untiring caretaking given to Jeff and Cathy around the clock throughout his illness; to Tanya Curran and Brandi Boyd with Transitions Hospice Care for their gentle and compassionate attention to his needs; to House of Joy and Cary Cross Trailers Square Dance Club for their continued prayers; and the many true believers who joined us in prayer on behalf of Jeff during his illness.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at a time of visitation from 3:00 – 4:30 pm, with a Celebration of Life service to follow at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to House of Joy, Inc. where Cathy volunteers and Jeff wholeheartedly supported and served on the Board of Directors. The address is: House of Joy, Inc. 108 W. North Street, Zebulon, NC 27597 or at House-of-joy.org.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left on the webpage "Add a Memory". Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Jeffries family.