Memories of Thomas "Tom" Patrick O'Keeffe

In memory of

Thomas "Tom" Patrick O'Keeffe

Kent, WA, USA

1950 - June 19, 2021

1950 - Jun 19, 2021

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Ann O'Keeffe

It has been almost a year since Tom died. We miss him every single day and are so thankful for the many ways he blessed our lives.

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Ann O'Keeffe

Shared a heart

Ann O'Keeffe

2020, Kent, WA, USA

Enjoying ourselves. I love his smile!

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Denise Delight

Please consider a gift to Arthritis Foundation.

$1,360.00

Raised by 11 people

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Katja Jacob

My sincere condolences to Tom's family. My heart goes out to you.

Tom and I were teammates at Boeing EHS for about 6 years. When I think of Tom, I hear his distinctive voice.

Tom was a lovely man. I learned of his passing in Ashford, WA, returning from a two- night trip to Indian Bar on Mount Rainier. Coming back into cell and data reception, several former co-workers, and friends from different circles, had reached out to share the sad news. Tom was so obviously loved by many and respected by the people who had the good fortune to work with him.

10 years ago, we were transferring all that Safety and Health information from old web pages to new web pages, using a buggy and slow software that drove everyone nuts. For Safety and Health, that was a lot of data, and I was responsible for our team's web presence. I had already worked around 100 hours on this project, when - poof! - it was all gone. Irretrievably gone. I was stunned. I went over to Tom's desk and said "I think I need a shot of Whiskey." He looked at me, then he laughed and gave me a hug.
Turns out, that was what I needed. <3

I miss Tom.

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Ann O'Keeffe

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Katja- thank you for the lovely memories. The beautiful flowers you gave me have brought much comfort. Tom... Read more Katja- thank you for the lovely memories. The beautiful flowers you gave me have brought much comfort. Tom would have been pleased... Read more Katja- thank you for the lovely memories. The beautiful... Read more

Katja Jacob

Shared a heart

Andy Teague

Tom was for many years the liaison for our laboratory’s testing for Boeing. I have never worked with a more knowledgeable, forthcoming, kind, and patient individual than Tom was to us. He was much appreciated and enjoyed, and will be sorely missed. Our sincere condolences to his loved ones.

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Ann O'Keeffe

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for your kind words.

Olga Onishchuk

My condolences to the entire family. I feel like I knew each and every one of you because of the time that Tom and I spent together. I came to Boeing as an intern and was placed by Tom for the next 4 years as I was brought on as a permanent employee. I kept him up to speed on all things “millennial” and he gave me actual real world advice. The world has lost a wonderful soul. He truly was a ray of sunshine. I will miss him terribly.

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Katja Jacob

Ann O'Keeffe

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you Olga- I can just see him talking to you. I remember Tom speaking of you. He thought highly of ... Read more Thank you Olga- I can just see him talking to you. I remember Tom speaking of you. He thought highly of you. Thank you Olga- I can just see him talking to you. ... Read more

Denise Delight

Shared a heart

Denise Delight

My condolences to Tom's family and friends. I first met Tom in January 2016 when I moved up from the Boeing Auburn site to Renton; we had desks next to each other for over four years until they sent us home due to COVID. I had never sat next to anyone as long in my 16+ years at Boeing, and I couldn't have asked for a better cubemate. I wasn't a traditional EHS/safety employee; I did not have the science or technical education, so I felt like I won the desk lottery with Tom at my side. We talked about everything under the sun, and I will miss his wisdom and humor. I valued the personal chats just as much or more than the work ones. It was like I got a bonus uncle... and I definitely took advantage. Anytime I was considering a home improvement project, I always sought his advice. And I was his go-to computer fixer, from converting large PDF files of data to something he could manipulate, to showing him any new shortcuts. And of course we traded office rumors, and served as each other's secretaries when one of us was away. We often ended our day around the same time and walked out to our cars together. He even met my kids when I had them brought to our parking lot once and my kids have always remembered him. I will miss him terribly, and I'm sure I share others' anger/annoyance at stupid COVID from preventing so many from seeing him one last time. It's taken me a long time to post here, but last night I had a good dream about him so I knew it was time. My best memory of Tom will be how much he loved his family -- wife, kids, grandkids. He will be a fabulous angel to you all.

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Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Katja Jacob

Ann O'Keeffe

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you for the kind words and stories. I had to laugh at the computer tech reference as he often had me... Read more Thank you for the kind words and stories. I had to laugh at the computer tech reference as he often had me help him with his technical... Read more Thank you for the kind words and stories. I had to ... Read more

Steven Magasis

Tom has been in my thoughts daily for the past 10 days. He was my guiding light over 30 years ago when I arrived at Boeing, and remained a touchstone during all the years since. He listened, thought and responded with honesty and kindness.

He was one of the finest people I’ve had the good fortune to know. I hope that the O’Keeffe family finds strength in his memory, and may his memory be a blessing. Be well.

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Katja Jacob

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Steven, Tom always spoke highly of you. Thank you for your lovely condolences. Steven, Tom always spoke highly of you. Thank you for your lovely condolences. Steven, Tom always spoke highly of you. Thank you ... Read more

Theresa Turner

Tom spent lots of time mentoring our Boy Scouts in Troop 409. He was always there for scouts and parents. Did all kinds of service
Projects, organized the equipment room, supervised camp outs , and was a kind, intelligent, and smart man. My heartfelt condolences to all the 0’Keefes at this difficult time.

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Katja Jacob

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you Theresa- We shared so many great times together with the scouting activities. You and your family... Read more Thank you Theresa- We shared so many great times together with the scouting activities. You and your family were some of our ... Read more Thank you Theresa- We shared so many great times together... Read more

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Tom, thank you for sharing your time with Ann, allowing her to find my missing Birth Parents & Families. It meant the world to me.💖

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Katja Jacob

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you Kevin, He did not get my passion for genealogy but sure supported it in every way. Thank you Kevin, He did not get my passion for genealogy but sure supported it in every way. Thank you Kevin, He did not get my passion for genealogy... Read more

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Tom, thank you for sharing your time with Anne, allowing her to find my missing Birth Parents & Families. It meant the world to me.💖

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Katja Jacob

Ann Eyler

I was blessed to know this fine man. Prayers for the whole family.

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Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you Ann- Miss you friend. Thank you Ann- Miss you friend. Thank you Ann- Miss you friend.

Bruce Hall

I will always remember Tom from my years at Boeing. He served as a mentor to so many of us and always shared his knowledge and skills unselfishly. He truly stands out as one of the very best ever.

My heartfelt condolences to his family. He will be missed by so many.

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Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you Bruce. We appreciate your kind words and recognition of the ways Tom was so valued. Thank you Bruce. We appreciate your kind words and recognition of the ways Tom was so valued. Thank you Bruce. We appreciate your kind words and ... Read more

Michael O'Keeffe

Eileen Long

Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

He was quite proud of his new hat Michael. Made me giggle. :) He was quite proud of his new hat Michael. Made me giggle. :) He was quite proud of his new hat Michael. Made me ... Read more

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

2000, Spokane, WA

Tom with his parents and siblings at a family reunion.

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Eileen Long

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Trish Williams

Katja Jacob

Comments:

Judy Perinovic

So glad we connected thru Ancestry.com...got to see a little of our family connection that I wouldn't otherwise.... Read more So glad we connected thru Ancestry.com...got to see a little of our family connection that I wouldn't otherwise. So glad we connected thru Ancestry.com...got to see... Read more

Ann O'Keeffe

I am glad that we were able to connect too. :) I am glad that we were able to connect too. :) I am glad that we were able to connect too. :)

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

1994

Back row, left to right: Patrick O'Keeffe, Nani Coleman, Andy O'Keeffe, Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe. Font row: Jeremy O'Keeffe, Ann O'Keeffe holding Virginia M. O'Keeffe, Tom O'Keeffe, Katie Lee, Michael O'Keeffe.

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Eileen Long

Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Douglas Briggs

I worked with Tom for close to 20 years at Boeing and we both had graduated from the UW’s graduate school for Industrial Hygiene-though at different times. In my role as an Executive I would often look to Tom for practical solutions to complex technical issues. His quiet and calm demeanor would always provide a way forward. Always focusing on the technical and its impact to people-he never let politics prevent him from doing the right thing-not always easy in a large corporation.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss, Tom is a remarkable soul. God Bless🙏🏻💞🌏😷

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Eileen Long

Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Katja Jacob

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

Thank you for you kind words. He was a man of integrity. Thank you for you kind words. He was a man of integrity. Thank you for you kind words. He was a man of integrity.... Read more

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

Tom loved woodworking and built many beautiful things, including: furniture, toys, and a deck.

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Eileen Long

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

1995

Tom with his first grandchild, John Martin.

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Eileen Long

Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

1999

Tom with Troop 407. He was active with the scouts for many years as Andy, Patrick, Michael, and Jeremy joined.

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Eileen Long

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Comments:

Bill Westcott

I remember this trip! Great kids, outstanding adult leaders, and Tom was always there and the best! I remember this trip! Great kids, outstanding adult leaders, and Tom was always there and the best! I remember this trip! Great kids, outstanding adult... Read more

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

1992

Tom with Patrick, Katie, and Michael at a trout farm.

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Eileen Long

Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Virginia M. O'Keeffe

Tom fought lymphoma in 1983. He continued to work hard and support his family even while undergoing chemotherapy.

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Eileen Long

Amy Scroggs-O'Keeffe

Kevin Rosing-Clapp

Katja Jacob

Comments:

Ann O'Keeffe

He not only fought it- He continued to work his full schedule. We set chemo up so it was Friday right after... Read more He not only fought it- He continued to work his full schedule. We set chemo up so it was Friday right after work so he would ... Read more He not only fought it- He continued to work his full... Read more