Alumni Spotlight

Alumnus Lives Jesuit Ideals Through Community Improvements

Rarely does one get the opportunity to influence his or her community in the way Jeremiah O'Keefe, B'48, has done. As the founder of one of the largest life insurance companies in Mississippi, past-owner of one of the state's oldest funeral homes, and past mayor of Biloxi, O'Keefe has certainly had a major impact.

O'Keefe is the founder and chairman-emeritus of Gulf National Life Insurance Company, which he built into the largest company of its kind in Mississippi. The company handles small life insurance policies designed to pay for final expenses. It is operated through a number of funeral homes with 100 acting as agents in the state of Mississippi. O'Keefe was president of the company for more than 40 years which he sold just a year and a half ago.

Before Gulf National, O'Keefe was the president of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Homes, a family-owned and operated business for five generations. His great-grandfather, Edward O'Keefe, opened the business, O'Keefe Livery and Undertaking, in 1865 shortly after the Civil War. The chain consists of four homes, two cemeteries, and one crematory. All are presently owned and operated by O'Keefe's son, Jeffrey.

He received his B. B. A. degree in accounting in 1948, and as he explains, his Loyola degree gave him the solid background in accounting he needed for his own business and for dealing with other companies. "This background gave me confidence in myself and in my business judgement for acquistions and how to pay for them," O'Keefe says.

Due to his father's failing health and the family business, O'Keefe chose Loyola for its proximity to his home in Mississippi. But there was more than just proximity in his decision. "My father and uncle were both educated by Jesuits, and they were impressed with their teaching. I was most impressed with the Jesuit fathers' intellect and training."

During his years at Loyola, O'Keefe was involved in a number of organizations, including Pi Kappa Epsilon and Epsilon Kappa Sigma. He was a member of the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (1947 -48). As president, his involvement in Pi Kappa Epsilon went beyond just membership in the fraternity. At that time, the fraternity did not admit African-Americans or Jews. Seeing the grave injustice in this exclusion, he fought to have these groups represented in the fraternity. "It didn't take long. After World War II, the old-fashioned views changed quickly," he asserts. Later, in an effort to help African-American students gain a good education by attending Loyola's College of Business Administration, the O'Keefe Foundation formed the Jeremiah and Annette O'Keefe Endowed Scholarship.

O'Keefe's leadership skills continued after Loyola when he became mayor of Biloxi, Mississippi. He held two terms as mayor and was also a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1960 -1964. He attributes much of his success to his Loyola education. "My background in business and accounting was a tremendous asset and provided the background which allowed me to make proper decisions."

Presently, O'Keefe is involved in a fund-raising project for the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art in Mississippi, named as a tribute to both his late wife Annette O'Keefe and the potter George Ohr. This will be the first museum in Mississippi specifically for African-American art and cultural activities. At his request, one of the last slave houses in the state is being relocated to the site of the museum to be used as an additional wing. Groundbreaking for the museum is expected in March.

Besides being dedicated to both his alma mater and his community, O'Keefe is a dedicated father to his 13 children, a number of whom worked with him in the funeral home business. His daughter, Catherine, followed in her father's footsteps by attending Loyola's College of Arts and Sciences.

One of O'Keefe's most noted accomplishments was serving in the U. S. Marine Corp as an F4-U pilot from 1942 until 1946. During this time, he shot down seven Japanese aircraft and was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Medal, two of the highest honors bestowed upon servicemen.

When asked what advice he would pass along to business students hoping to achieve the same professional level as himself, O'Keefe says, "Students should pay particular attention to accounting courses and business law." He also advises that during their spare time, students should visit business institutions in and around the New Orleans area that coincide with their future employment aspirations. "It's a mistake not to do so," he comments. "I think grads should get a running start. It's important to make contacts as a student."

—Theresa Ryan, A'00

College of Business Administration
Campus Box 15
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118