John R. Kearney

Of Chester, Virginia passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Captain Kearney was born in Oakland, California, in 1926 and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. After graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in June 1946.

A career naval officer, Captain Kearney's sea assignments included duty aboard the USS Bremerton during the Korean War, serving as Commanding Officer of the USS Haverfield, and as Commanding Officer of USS Collett during the Vietnam War. He also served as Naval Attaché in Madrid, Spain; Commander, Military Sealift Command, Mediterranean in Naples, Italy; and Navy Liaison Officer to the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Captain Kearney graduated from the Naval War College in 1964, and received a M.A. in International Relations from George Washington University. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1979, after earning commendations which included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Coast Guard Commendation Medal.

Captain Kearney was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Irene. He is survived by three daughters, Kathleen Kirby and her husband Jim, of Cheshire, CT; Colleen Moore and her husband Roderick of Midlothian, VA; and Maureen Fleegal and her husband Brett of Loveland, CO, as well as seven grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 22, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. A Funeral Mass will be held July 23, 2013 at 10:45 a.m., at the Memorial Chapel, 101 McNair Road Fort Myer, VA 22211 VA. Interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery.