John Vincent Geraghty Jr. (February 23, 1934 – December 7, 2023) was an American civic politician, journalist, and public relations consultant from Spokane, Washington.

He is the son of John Vincent and Gladys Ida (née Johnson) Geraghty, Sr. His father worked in advertising as art director and account executive on staff with Spokane-area agencies for over 45 years.

[1] Geraghty's siblings include brothers Michael and Thomas, and sisters Kathleen Whitbeck and Mary Sturm.

His grandfather served as Spokane's City Attorney and member of the Washington State House of Representatives from the 3rd legislative district.

His extracurricular activities included participating in writing, editing, and producing the North Central News student newspaper.

Fellow recipients included former member of the National Transportation Safety Board and NASA's Safety Advisory Group for Space Flight, Vernon L. Grose;[6] US Congressman, George Nethercutt;[7] Jerry Sage, WWII prisoner of war portrayed by Steve McQueen in the movie, The Great Escape;[8][9][10] and musician Don Eagle, who toured with the USO during WWII and appeared in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (with fellow-Spokanite Bing Crosby), Night Has a Thousand Eyes (with Edward G. Robinson), and The Strip (with Mickey Rooney).

[5] He was then sent to Washington D.C., where he utilized his journalism degree by editing the Service Stripe military newspaper at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

[13] While daughter Sheila is the business administrator for the Salvation Army in Spokane, Brigid serves as the volunteer services manager for Catholic Charities.

In 2001, Geraghty and Kerry Lynch were married by Father Gerard O'Leary at St Joseph's Church, located in the countryside outside Limerick, Ireland.

[16] Following completion of his service with the Air National Guard, Geraghty was hired as a reporter for the Spokane Daily Chronicle newspaper, which later merged with The Spokesman-Review.

During his work on staff at the Chronicle, he reported on news, events, activities, and the judicial process at the Spokane County Courthouse.

During this time, Geraghty successfully championed the consolidation of the County Sheriff's department with the city's police and corrections functions in the new Public Health Building.

In preparation for Spokane's hosting of the 1974 World's Fair, Geraghty was named as the Director of Public Relations of the organizing committee.

In preparation for the fair, the local government demolished the downtown business district, which was previously dominated by the Great Northern Railroad Depot.

In his role with both firms, he spearheaded several bond issues, which have resulted in the development of public libraries; renovation and construction of local high schools; and improving city parks and street projects.

He also began working on reviving the local economy, by revitalizing the city's central business district with the development of River Park Square and restoration of the historic Davenport Hotel.

In honor of his Irish heritage, Geraghty and his wife co-founded the Spokane Limerick Sister City Society and established the Friendly Sons of St.