Gene Killeen

Gene Killeen Obituary

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Gene died peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

He was born March 3, 1934, to Howard J. and Alice M. Killeen in Portland, and grew up in North Portland where he was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. As a freshman, he attended the Redemptorist Seminary in Oakland, California, with every intention of becoming a priest, but returned to Portland to graduate in 1952 from Columbia Prep High School. After that, Gene was a student at the University of Portland for two years when he was drafted into the Army and served for two years.
He married Sherrie J. Codekas in March of 1955, at Fort Ord Military Base, California. In 1958, he enrolled in Northwest School of Law and attended night classes. He graduated in 1962 and practiced law for 30 years. After living in Northeast Portland for eight years, Gene and Sherrie and their six children moved to Lake Oswego in 1969.
He was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir for 18 years. Gene was active in St. Vincent de Paul, where he volunteered his time helping people less fortunate. He was a member of Riverside Country Club, where he was an avid and extremely competitive golfer. Gene loved humor and laughter, and had an encyclopedia of jokes in his head, which he told again and again, much to the chagrin of his children. His sense of humor about life delighted his friends, family, and clients.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Sherrie; and his dear children, Kathy (Bill) Sinnott, Diana Killeen, Jane (Scott) Koopman, Elizabeth (Michael) Swift, Patrick Killeen, Lynn (John) Parker; 14 much teased and hugged grandchildren; and one adored great-granddaughter. Gene was witty and wise, and he will be missed.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon.