Phillip Virgil Geiger
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Phillip Virgil Geiger, 73, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away quickly from lung cancer in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on December 21, 2020.
Phil is survived by his loving wife Kathie Geiger of almost 41 years, son Justin Harriman, daughter Kendra Lux, Son-In Law Adam Lux, Brother-In-Law Richard Brown, Sister-In-Law Ann Powell Brown, grandsons Koen Harriman, Liam Lux, granddaughter Olivia Lux, and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family. Phil was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.
Phil was preceded in death by his Father Virgil Geiger, Mother Thelma Geiger, infant sister Darlene Geiger, brother Paul “Sonny” (Judy) Geiger, and niece Lori (Geiger) Annigan.
Phil was born in Lawrence, KS, grew up in Fairway, KS and graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1965. He loved sports and was on baseball, football, swim, and dive teams. He was a talented trumpet player and enjoyed the Marching Band. After high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps as his adored brother Sonny had done before him. Phil was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded a Purple Heart among other medals. Phil worked for Hallmark for 11 years after being discharged from the military and retired from the United States Post Office after 30 years of Service. Phil loved the outdoors and was fortunate to have lived in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado prior to settling back in Shawnee Mission, KS. He was the President of the Lakeview Homes Association in the 90’s where he enjoyed fun shenanigans with great friends and neighbors and always thunderous fireworks on the 4th of July!
Phil loved to travel with friends and family. It all started with a fishing trip to Branson when Phil was 16 with his friend Bill Miller. The friendship lasted 59 years and they traveled much of the country together on their “Road Trips”. Phil loved camping and exploring the mountains with his wife and son Justin. Another favorite place was the Mayan Riviera in Mexico where he escorted his daughter down the beach at her wedding. Carl & Linda Brown shared memorable trips to Mexico and Hawaii and his Nephew Ronnie and wife Tarry planned a customized trip for Phil to explore the beaches of Aruba early 2020 before the pandemic hit.
Phil loved spending time with his grandchildren, and they adored snuggling with their “Papa”. Phil and Kathie spent the last nine months taking care of Liam and Olivia in Columbia, Missouri during the Covid-19 Pandemic. He spoiled them with homemade pancakes and chocolate chip cookies. Phil was always there when you needed him! He recently talked about how much he enjoyed coaching his daughter’s softball team. He was a Mr. Fix-it, had a green thumb, loved to fish, bake, and grilled the best-ever steaks and smoked turkeys. He was an avid reader and a wealth of knowledge.
Phil will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.
A special thank you to the people of Kindred Hospice for their care and support during his final days.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 8, 2021 at 2pm at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, 20109 Business Highway 13, Higginsville, MO 64037.
Phil once wrote in a Christmas card to me that I was his favorite cousin. While that may or may not be true, it meant so much to me at the time. Phil knew I was going through a rough patch and his sweet note certainly did make me feel better. He had a gentle kind spirit. I feel fortunate and blessed to call him family.
We will miss him dearly! Was the best uncle growing up! Looked forward to doing things with him as a child. He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family very much. Until we meet again Uncle Phil! Love, Sue Anne
Stories about my Dad & Phil are an integral part of my life. They were both my “goal” & my warning on what not to do. Every time I saw Phil he had a smile!!! He is missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Kendra and family,
It was so hard to hear about Phil’s death. He was a wonderful man and I am sure Carita would say the same about the time we spent with you and your family during your wedding. Such a memorable trip. Your mother and father are the best! It warms my heart to know that he got to spend so much time with your children. That is such an awesome time in a parents life, to be a grandparent. Randy and I are sending you are deepest sympathies. Please pass our condolences on to your mother also.
Kathy and family . I had a strange feeling and just found this about our Dear friend . I’m very saddened . What a great picture and so “happy”to hear about his Joy of “Grand children” . Looks like he and Paul are having their many laughs I the great place . He was always there for everyone !!
Today is a very special Memorial Day for me. I was able to honor my cousin, Phillip V. Geiger with a Memorial Brick at the National WWI Monument and Museum in Kansas City, Mo. The Museum and Monument are the only ones in the US that are dedicated exclusively to WW I. The Walk of Honor allows any of us to dedicate a granite brick with name and service to any Veteran/Service Member or friend of the Museum.
Phil served with the US Marines in Viet Nam and received the Purple Heart for his service. He was my closest cousin in age and we spent many wonderful times together growing up. I really regarded him more as a “big brother” than a cousin. Life and geography separated us for many years, but we reconnected at our Aunt Dee Leigh’s funeral. Our families again became close and we spent 25+ year celebrating holidays and birthdays together. Some of my most cherished memories. My children adored him and called him “Uncle Phil”. I’m so glad we had those wonderful years together. Our trips to New Ulm, Minn. to visit his daughter at her first job out of college and our trip to show him Boston and the beach where my husband grew up, will remain in my heart forever.
Phil passed last December at the age of 73. I was not afforded the opportunity to talk to him before he passed, to tell him how much he had meant to me all these year and how much I loved him. Covid kept us from his funeral and I felt such a loss. But today he was honored and his brick dedicated to him and his service. We were not able to attend in person, as my hip and back would not let me walk that far, but we were provided a live stream to watch from home. It was a beautiful ceremony and I feel now that I have honored him for his love, kindness to all and his determination to live a full life, even though he lived with so much pain. Next week, when we can park closer, we will visit his brick and take photos.
May you rest in peace, Phil, and know that you were so loved. Thank you for being a part of my life. You made it so much richer!! I will cherish our memories always!!