Gainesville - Lawrence Patrick OÕKeefe, 73, of Gainesville, was born on born March 4, 1937 and died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, following a prolonged battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. A native of New York City, N.Y., Larry lived in Gainesville since 1990. Larry served his country as a Lt. in the 69th Infantry Division of the National Guard. He received a BA in Economics from Queens College, N.Y., where he met Helen, his wife. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Cooper Union. Larry spent his early career as an Engineer with the Apollo space program as a member of the lunar module design team. He then worked with the National Science Foundation to help local governments adapt and utilize the technology developed by the space program. Later, he became a Licensed Professional Engineer in Georgia, New York and Virginia and eventually founded Applied Engineering Concepts, a multi-disciplinary design and engineering firm. He was published in several engineering trade journals and authored the book Technology Assessment for Local Governments. LarryÕs passion was flying. He was an instrument-rated Private Pilot and was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. His flying career spanned 40 years, over which he owned three different planes. One of the planes survived. Larry was a member of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. Mr. OÕKeefe is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent OÕKeefe and Frances OÕMelia OÕKeefe.Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Helen OÕKeefe of Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Gwen OÕKeefe of Seattle, Wash.; daughter; Heather OÕKeefe of Athens; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Cinda OÕKeefe of Marietta; granddaughter, Miranda OÕKeefe of Seattle, Wash.; grandson, Daniel OÕKeefe of Marietta; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vincent and Dolores OÕKeefe of Conyers, Terry OÕKeefe of Asheville, N.C. and Mark and Kay OÕKeefe of Bracey, Va.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and loving friends. A private memorial service was held Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Adairsville, Ga. at Barnsley Gardens. Those desiring, please make donations to the Northeast Georgia Hospice at: www.nghs.com or 743 Spring Street, Gainesville, GA 30501.Little-Davenport Funeral Home, 770-534-5201, 355 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501.