Chaplain Corps, United States Navy
Lieutenant Commander John Frederick Keith went home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2014 in Naples, Italy.
Chaplain John F. Keith was born in Bellville, Illinois at Scott AFB, October 15, 1964. He graduated from San Gorgonio High School, San Bernardino Ca.; class of 1982.
Chaplain Keith worked as a retail sales manager for 10 years; he is a graduate of California Baptist University, Riverside California and was ordained and licensed as a Christian Minister in 1996 at Loveland Church, Rancho Ca. In 1997, Chaplain Keith worked as a counselor for abused children at Olive Crest Treatment Facility and also functioned as the Assistant/ Youth Pastor of Sea Breese Community Church in Tustin, California. In 1999 he was selected to be the Senior Pastor of Sea Breeze Community Church. In 2001, he became the Pastor of The Family Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, California where he remained until 2003. During this time Chaplain Keith attended Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity Degree in January 2003.
He was commissioned in the Navy Chaplain Corps in October 2003. Upon completing Naval Chaplain School in Newport Rhode Island in April 2004, LTjg Keith reported to 3rd Marine Logistics Group in Okinawa, Japan as the Headquarters and Service Battalion Chaplain.
In January 2005, Chaplain Keith deployed to Sri Lanka with Marine Logistics Regiment-2, Combat Logistics Group-Sri Lanka, JTF-536, in support of Operation Unified Assistance, ministering to the tsunami victims.
While assigned to 3rd Marine Logistics Group, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, LT Keith was deployed in October 2006 to Kuwait in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He was assigned to MARCENT-Kuwait as the Officer-in-Charge for Patient Affairs Tracking Team, working with the Army’s Theatre Mortuary Expeditionary Post Team.
Lt. Keith then transferred to Marine Corps Base Okinawa, Japan, assigned to CREDO as the Deputy Director in October 2007. In July 2010, LCDR Keith was assigned to Carrier Air Wing NINE as Command Chaplain and deployed onboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM/NEW DAWN.
In August 2012, LCDR Keith reported to Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy as Deputy Command Chaplain.
Chaplain Keith’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (one silver star and one bronze star).
Chaplain Keith leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 20 years, Regina Pia Tiongson Keith, Naples, Italy; two sons, Jonathan Keith, Whittier Ca.; Joshua Keith, Naples, Italy;. parents, William and Evelyn Keith; Highland, Ca. brother, Jeffrey S. Keith, Alhambra, Ca.; sisters, Phyllis (Charles) Boles, San Bernardino, Ca.; Lori Keith, Highland, Ca. nephews, Michael Boles, Matthew Boles, niece, Marissa Boles, San Bernardino, Ca. Devoted mother-in-law, Lita Roscobar, Guam; brother-in-law, Ewin F. Tiongson, Guam; and niece, Isabella R Tiongson; Guam.
Chaplain Keith also leaves to cherish his memory, a host of family and friends worldwide.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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