Feb. 1, 1941 – Oct. 5, 2014
Joe Floyd Geil, 73, of Sweet Home died peacefully Oct. 5, 2014 at home with his family.
He was born Feb. 1, 1941 in Sweet Home to Vernon and Mildred (Pappin) Geil.
He was raised in Sweet Home and worked hard and played hard. He spent his early years playing high school ball for the Huskies and enjoyed drag racing out near the Langmack Airstrip.
As a young man Mr. Geil helped his father in the veneer/lumber mills. He took his wife and family to New Mexico and for five years managed two mills processing timber from the Gila Forest and moved the lumber to the southeastern states with a small fleet of three trucks.
Upon returning to Oregon, Mr. Geil ventured into rock crushing, timber management, and ranching. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington was an opportunity for his skill and knowledge to be put to work recovering the downed timber of the surrounding forests. He also was employed by the Corps of Engineers to clear the Foster and Green Peter reservoirs of floating logs and debris.
When he wasn’t working, Mr. Geil relaxed with friends. He enjoyed many activities like waterskiing, snowmobiling, deep sea fishing, and hunting with friends and family.
Joe enjoyed his life membership with the Elks. He was proud to be a member of the Sweet Home Fire Department for 23 years.
Mr. Geil is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Caroline (Morss) Geil; children Sandra Carol, Timothy Ray and Pamella Jo; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; brother Mike and sister-in-law Grace Geil; sisters Joy and brother-in-law Fred Honeywell, Starla and brother-in-law Paul Walker, Mary and brother-in-law David Simond, and Martha and brother-in-law Steve Morrill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Mildred Geil; and his brother-in-law, Pastor Bob Swope.
A graveside service was held Oct. 10 at Gilliland Cemetery, with a celebration of Mr. Geil’s life and a luncheon following at the Sweet Home Senior Center.
It was his wish that his family, friends and neighbors gather to share dinner, memories and laughter!
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.