THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605090382
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
John W. Keffer, a developer and fuel oil dealer who served six years on the City Council, died Tuesday night while watching local election returns. He was 69.
``You couldn't find a more dedicated council member,'' said Sidney M. Oman, former mayor of Chesapeake and one of Keffer's council colleagues. ``He did his homework. He was dedicated to the city of Chesapeake.''
Keffer told him three weeks ago that he missed being on the council, Oman said.
``He loved this city,'' said Mayor William E. Ward. ``He came from a strong family background, nurtured deeply in the values of his religion.''
Keffer's grandson, Gary Keffer, said it appeared Keffer had died while watching the election results on television. Gary Keffer said the family did not yet know the cause of his grandfather's death.
Keffer's reputation in Chesapeake was that of a blunt-spoken, honest citizen legislator, who started out poor but became a successful businessman and was known for closely watching the city's budget.
Keffer in 1978 won a special election to fill a council vacancy caused by the death of W.P. Clark Sr. He lost a bid for re-election in 1980, then won the seat back in 1982 and served until 1986.
Keffer's support of major rezonings for new developments and his association with the pro-growth faction on the council antagonized the burgeoning slow-growth movement in Chesapeake. It probably helped cost him the election in 1986. He ran twice more, in 1988 and 1990, but lost.
His outspokenness made him a controversial figure on a City Council notorious for rough and tumble performance.
Ward said Keffer was sometimes more honest than politically astute: ``He would tell it like it was, the way he felt.''
``Lots of times I probably should have shut up when I was talking,'' Keffer once said in an interview.
``On the other hand, sometimes I don't care. I have been told that I am the only one with the character to stand up for what I really believe is right for the city,'' he said.
His political career, which did not begin until he was in his 50s, followed a highly successful business career.
Born in 1926 in Newport News, Keffer moved with his family to Norfolk County (later Chesapeake) when he was 5 years old. The family picked crops to pay bills.
He sold dairy products and studied plumbing before starting his own heating and electrical contracting business. He then bought the oil companies, and by 1986 he owned four fuel distributorships in Virginia and North Carolina.
Keffer began developing subdivisions in 1971. By the 1980s, between the fuel oil business and his interests in real estate development, Keffer was a millionaire. He retired in 1987.
Keffer was proud of his business acumen and felt it was his strength on the council, where he developed a reputation for pinching the city's pennies.
In 1992, he privately published ``My Mother Was a Lady,'' largely an autobiography.
He and his wife, Dana, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, raised 10 children - five boys and five girls. They also had 26 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Mount Pleasant Mennonite Church in Great Bridge from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. The service will be held in the church at 2 p.m. Saturday and burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to Mount Pleasant Christian School. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
John W. Keffer, a developer and fuel oil dealer, served on
Chesapeake City Council from 1978-80 and from 1982-86.
by CNB