James Thomas O'Keefe

James Thomas O’Keefe Jr. 94, passed away March 4, 2026 at The Life Care Center of Palm Bay Florida. He was husband to Marilyn E. O’Keefe who preceded him in death in September 2024. They shared 72 years together.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was the son of James T. O’Keefe Sr. and Anna O’Keefe Tobin. He attended Trenton Catholic High School for Boys and in 1947, joined the United States Navy right out of High School. Early in his Naval career, he served on the USS Midway and USS Kula Gulf. Jim later had duty stations in Niagara Falls, New York and New Jersey's Lakehurst Naval Air Station serving as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate and served during the final years of the Navy’s Lighter than Air program as a crewmember on Navy blimps.

In 1966, the family got orders to Adak Naval Air Station in the Aleutian Islands. After a short tour of duty at Adak, Jim was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and assigned to the USS America in Norfolk, Virginia as an Aviation Fuels Officer and he completed two tours of duty in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam war. Jim’s next duty station was on the pre-commissioning crew of the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz.

During his Naval career, Jim received many commendations including the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, 2 Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

The O'Keefe family moved back to New Jersey in 1971 and where Jim eventually retired from the Navy. He next worked for the State of New Jersey's Department of Banking & Insurance. In 1982, Jim and Marilyn moved south to sunny Barefoot Bay, Florida where Jim was an active member and Commander of the local American Legion post. Jim was an avid golfer and stamp collector and he and Marilyn enjoyed traveling to Europe and being onboard ocean cruises.

Jim is survived by his children Tom, Pat, Karen, Sharon and their spouses, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

In honor of his loyal naval military service, James Thomas O'Keefe will be interred alongside his wife, at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at a later date, in a private ceremony.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Jude’s Research Hospital. (www.stjude.org)