Jeffrey Geest

Jeffrey Alan Geest was born on March 22nd, 1956 to Julius and Josephine Geest in Davenport, Iowa. The youngest of three, Jeff grew up surrounded by rowdy nephews and his best friend, Tim. He loved swimming, his dog Cookie, playing the cello, outdoor adventures with the Boy Scouts of America, and the Mississippi River.

As he grew, so did his passion for baseball and working with his hands. He was a champion trap shooter. He enjoyed working hard as a journeyman millwright at Sivyer Steel Foundry in Bettendorf, Iowa. On a fateful ski trip to Western Colorado, he visited Tim and met his future wife, Kit. After much persuasion and a canoe trip on the Gunnison River, Jeff sweet-talked Kit into becoming his lawfully wedded wife in Eckert, Colorado on May 2, 1981.

They enjoyed the small town scenery of Cedaredge, lifetime friends they made there, hiking, camping, and working for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. In pursuit of school and work, the couple moved to Grand Junction in 1984. Jeff took pride in his work as a machinist and quality control manager at Hamilton Sundstrand Aerospace in a career of over 20 years.

He and Kit raised three children, Casey, Gina, and Lain and spent years jumping on the trampoline, helping with math homework, attending band concerts, playing Santa Claus and Leprechaun, raising hamsters, and always, always working hard for his family. He loved his time being a Rockies fan, ATV rider, gardener, and dog lover. Jeff was a faithful and devoted member of Redlands United Methodist Church and spent a lifetime actively participating in services and activities. In recent years, neighbors and friends frequently enjoyed seeing him puttering around on his scooter, doing his best to show Multiple Sclerosis who was boss.

He loved family gatherings the best and never lost his subtle, yet ever-present sense of humor. Jeff fiercely loved his family and online shopping. He will forever be remembered as a wonderful husband to Kit; great father to Casey (Dusty), Gina Bowen (Tanner), and Lain; fun-loving grandpa to Tristen and Ivie Geest; and down-to-earth friend. He will be daily missed, always bringing us a grin. Love you, Dad.

Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 12, at Redlands United Methodist Church. Jeff would love donations to the National MS Society in lieu of flowers. www.brownscremationservice.com The family would love to hear your stories, memories, or favorite things about Jeff! Please email them to geestfamilystories@gmail.com