Shawn Edward Kerkes' Obituary
Shawn Edward Kerkes, 67, passed away with loved ones by his side on Friday, April 28, 2023.
Despite his unexpected health event, Shawn received his final sacrament by the priest of his family’s parish where he so proudly volunteered as an usher.
On April 28, 1956, Shawn was blessed by the gift of life through his parents, Joseph and Helen Kerkes, as the first-born in their Wayside, New Jersey family home. They introduced him to the Catholic faith and his father, a decorated WWII Air Force veteran, instilled a sense of honor and reverence to serve his country.
Shawn would spend his formative years excelling at his academics, volunteering as an altar server, and working odd-jobs around the neighborhood to purchase his first dirt bike off the showroom floor; a 1970 Suzuki 50cc Maverick. Shawn would go on to graduate from Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey, enlist in the United States Air Force spending four years overseas in Germany and France, and began his collegiate education at Edison Community College in Fort Meyers, Florida. It was there that a random essay assignment in his International Affairs course would lead him to meet a lovely Polish woman named Irene. The day after their first date, Shawn sent her a card reading “Thank you for a lovely time seeing Animal House. I look forward to spending more time together with you.” Shawn received his wish as their first encounter led to more than 42 years of love and laughter with Irene.
Shawn and Irene were married in July of 1981, following the completion of his master’s degree from Florida State University. They had their son and two daughters over the course of the next five years while Shawn pursued his new career in the Government while enlisting in the U.S. Air National Guard. As he accepted various promotions over the course of his career, the Kerkes family relocated to various parts of the country where he and his family established new roots and forged countless friendships along the way.
After accepting his final position as a GS-15 in Washington D.C., he and his family have since resided in the lovely state of Virginia for over 20 years. After 35 years of working for various branches of the Government including the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture, Shawn retired in 2019.
For anyone who knew Shawn, he was a man of many interests; from vintage cars and motorcycles, steam-engine locomotives, sports, music, literature, history, cinema and much more. Furthermore, his likable character consisted of the following qualities: compassion, charm, intellect, loyalty, and a larger-than-life sense of humor. His life, like his career, was centered around service to others, protecting his family and the ones he loved, and honoring his country.
Shawn is survived by his wife, Irene Kerkes, along with their three children, Joseph Kerkes, Kristin Hope, and Jessica Homer; his four grandchildren, Savannah, Annabella, James, and Hunter; and his sister, Maureen Allen.
His life will be celebrated at 11am on Tuesday May 23, 2023 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church at 9600 Caritas St. Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408 followed by a 1:30pm military burial at Quantico National Cemetery at 18424 Joplin Rd. Triangle, Virginia 22172.
Friends are welcome to a reception from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at the Kerkes Family Home, 6008 Wickenden St. Fredericksburg, VA 22407
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 9600 Caritas St., Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
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