Mementos
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace
Colonel Timothy John Geraghty, United States Marine Corps (retired) of Phoenix, Arizona, died peacefully on January 7th, 2025, at home. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 8th, 1937, the fourth of seven children. Graduating from Christian Brothers College High School in 1955, he subsequently received a Bachelor of Science from St. Louis University in 1959. Colonel Geraghty was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1959 and retired from active duty in 1986. While serving, he earned a master’s degree in education with honors in 1976 from Pepperdine University.
His assignments included serving as a reconnaissance company commander in Vietnam, the Force Recon officer at the Development Center, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Development and Education Command, a special assignment with the Central Intelligence Agency and Commanding Officer, 24th Marine Amphibious Unit in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. Colonel Geraghty was both parachute and scuba qualified while also earning rifle and pistol expert badges.
Upon retirement in 1986, he rejoined the Central Intelligence Agency’s Counterterrorism Center. In 1990, Colonel Geraghty moved to Santa Barbara, California, to become the Deputy Director of Special Technologies Laboratory. Immediately following the 9/11 attacks on our country, he was assigned to an emergency team assembled to assist in recovery operations at ground zero. In 2001, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, for the development of a software company and later worked as a consultant for a security company in Falls Church, Virginia.
In 2004, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he authored a book about his experiences, Peacekeepers at War, 1983, The Marine Commander Tells His Story. He traveled extensively, giving speeches, interviews, and book signings to assorted audiences. He has also authored articles published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Washington Post, and United States Naval Institutes Naval Proceedings.
A list of medals and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat V, the Lebanese Order of the Cedar (Rank of Commander), Presidential Citation with Star, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, and Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Karen Peterschmidt Geraghty, son Sean Patrick Geraghty (Amber), and Grandsons Liam Oisin Geraghty and Patrick Pierce Geraghty.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 21st, 2025. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In Lou of Flowers, donations can be made to:
Christian Brothers College High School-
https://www.cbchs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=238233&type=d&pREC_ID=550578
or
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation-
https://www.marineheritage.org/makedonation.html
