Dr. James A. Geier, age 73, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.
James was born July 28, 1944, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to the union of the late Alvin and Josephine (Johnson) Geier. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, before moving to Huntington Beach, California, where he graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 1961. He had a love of learning and obtained his first Bachelor’s degree in History from Long Beach State, after which he was drafted into the Army and served his country faithfully during Vietnam. Upon return, he continued his education, earning a second Bachelor’s, a Master’s and a Doctorate in Sociology through the University of California, Riverside. Upon completion of his Ph.D, Dr. Geier accepted a teaching assignment that relocated him to Okinawa, Japan.
While teaching his Intro to Sociology class, he met who would later become his wife, Lori Kangas, and the two were united in marriage on May 14, 1990. After marriage, the couple transferred to Germany for a year. While residing in Germany, they were able to witness two major events in history – the reunification of East and West Germany and the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. They also traveled Europe, visiting Italy and France.
Following Germany, James and Lori moved back to the States and made their home in Oceanside, California, before moving to Joplin, Missouri, in 1994. Dr. Geier was a Sociology Professor at Missouri Southern State University and Pittsburg State, retiring from Pittsburg State in 2013. He greatly enjoyed traveling, watching Turner Classic Movies, beer and wine tasting, and wagering on horse races. He loved his wife and sons with his entire being and he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Nancy Geier.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Lori Geier, of the home; two sons, Brian and Christopher Geier; two brothers, David Geier and wife, Diana, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Bill Geier of Oceana, California; an aunt, Emily Stocker, of Pittsburg, Kansas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Private family services will take place at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
Following Germany, James and Lori moved back to the States and made their home in Oceanside, California, before moving to Joplin, Missouri, in 1994. Dr. Geier was a Sociology Professor at Missouri Southern State University and Pittsburg State, retiring from Pittsburg State in 2013. He greatly enjoyed traveling, watching Turner Classic Movies, beer and wine tasting, and wagering on horse races. He loved his wife and sons with his entire being and he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Nancy Geier.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Lori Geier, of the home; two sons, Brian and Christopher Geier; two brothers, David Geier and wife, Diana, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Bill Geier of Oceana, California; an aunt, Emily Stocker, of Pittsburg, Kansas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Private family services will take place at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
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