John Geehr

The son and only child of Dorothy and Homer Pyle Geehr, Jack was born in 1941 in Devon, Pennsylvania. He lived in the same farmhouse-style home his entire childhood, roaming and playing across the three-acre property. His love of sports grew with the years and developed into a passion for New York Yankees baseball. He attended Duke University on a Naval ROTC scholarship and competed as a “walk-on” pitcher, before focusing on his education, ROTC, and fraternity obligations.

Following graduation and his ROTC obligation of four years on active duty, during which he served on board the USS Barry (DD-933), Jack started a long career at Esso Oil Company (now Exxon) while remaining in the Navy Reserve for more than 30 years, retiring in 2001 with the rank of Captain. He maintained his career devotion singularly to Exxon and retired in 2003 after working 38 years without missing a single day.

Jack was a committed and loyal father, friend, and employee. Jack’s early parental years were devoted to childhood activities, coaching both youth softball and baseball for his young children in both Texas and Connecticut as Exxon transferred the family every two to three years. His final career move was to Morristown, New Jersey, where for more than three decades he enjoyed his golf passion at Spring Brook Country Club.

His favorite activities were anything involved with family members, golf, boating, and vacations in Wellfleet, Cape Cod — as long as a television was available for the Yankees game.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia; his son John Randolph “Randy” Geehr (Jill) and daughter Susan Geehr-Lewis (Jeff); five grandchildren, Avery, Nicole, Robin, Tristan, and Alden; and one great-grandson, Greyson Gerry. He is also survived by two stepsons, William Bray (Mary) and Jonathan Bray (Kristin); five step-grandchildren, Stephanie, Robert, Amanda, Jonathan, and Oliver; and three step-great-grandchildren, Josie, Etta, and Finn.

A memorial service will be held in Morristown, New Jersey, this fall on a date to be determined. Donations to a favorite charity may be made in Jack’s name.

Though deeply missed, friends and family will always remember Jack as a kind, loving, generous, and enthusiastic gentleman — always “half cup full,” and always walking four steps ahead of the pack.

He will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.