Obituary
Remembering Lloyd Frost O’Keefe (1939–2020)
Kent and Northeast Ohio area community members mourn the loss of Lloyd Frost O’Keefe, a champion for peace and social justice who was loved by family and friends for his genuineness, grace, caring, courage and leadership. His life was spent as a loving husband and family member and a servant leader of the highest calling.
O’Keefe died August 22, 2020, at Kent Healthcare Center, Kent, Ohio, with his wife, Roberta, by his side after a 21-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Roberta felt blessed to be with him despite the pandemic. Lloyd and Roberta Ann Bode of Cuyahoga Falls were married on Dec. 27, 1966, in Alexandria, Virginia. They met while undergrads at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio.
Lloyd was born in Columbus, Ohio, July 12, 1939, to Agnes Frost O’Keefe and Thomas G. O’Keefe. Lloyd enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in 1957 and was honorably discharged in 1965. While still in the National Guard, he was graduated from Heidelberg with a BA and received a teaching certificate. Lloyd taught high school for two years and then earned a Master of Divinity in 1967. He was ordained a priest on December 1, 1967. He served Episcopal churches in Toledo, Warren and then came to Christ Church Episcopal in Kent.
During his ministry, Lloyd’s first priority was being a pastor to the members of his congregation. He was passionate about social justice issues including hunger and racism and they would be focal points throughout the rest of his ministry. He worked for Kent Social Services establishing a food pantry and a homeless shelter. He also worked in various roles for the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio ending his career as assistant to the Bishop for Peace and Justice Ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.
Lloyd involved himself and his ministry in other aspects of the Kent community. He served as chaplain of the City of Kent Police Department for 18 years; was a member of the Portage County United Way Board of Directors; and was a founder of the Kent State University Orchestra Society. Lloyd along with his wife were long-time members of the League of Women Voters of Kent. They were also active members of Grace Episcopal Church in Ravenna.
Lloyd spent the last 5 years at Kent Healthcare Center where Roberta was able to be with him every day to help care for him until the pandemic hit. Then she visited him daily at his window.
Lloyd was predeceased by his mother and father, his brothers Dennis and Terry, and his sister’s partner Russ Hazzard. He is survived by his sister Carolyn Bebee; sisters- and brothers-in-law; many nieces, nephews and their families, including a great nephew who is Lloyd’s name sake.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Lloyd’s life can now be viewed on the Bissler Funeral Home website at bisslerandsons.com.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 250 W. Cedar Ave., Ravenna, Ohio 44266. Donations may also be made in Lloyd’s memory to the KSU Foundation/Orchestra Society for the Rev. Lloyd O’Keefe Orchestra Scholarship fund, 210 Overlook Dr., Kent, Ohio 44240. Donations can be made online at ksuorchestrasociety.org. Also for donations: Kent Social Services, online at fcsserves.org/donate or through its parent agency, Family and Community Services, 705 Oakwood St., Suite 221, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.
Information about obituaries in The Portager: editors@theportager.com
