In Memory Of
James Gerald Geels
1927
2020
James Gerald Geels
July 18, 1927 — November 7, 2020
James Gerald Geels, age 93, was born on July 18, 1927, in Morrison Bluff, Arkansas.
James was one of 7 children and was proceeded in death by his three sisters. Surviving are his three brothers, Bernard, Alfred and Robert.
On March 6th, 1950, Jim married the love of his life Edna Bottrell. To this union there were three children Gerald Geels (Kim), Angie Ross (Chris) and Sonia Sprouse.
Jim enjoyed an accomplished baseball career, and also served in the Navy and in the United States Army as a drill sergeant. After serving in the military Jim went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad where he was a proud Union member and served as the recording secretary for the local Union.
James passed his love of sports to his kids and grandchildren and enjoyed retirement attending their golf, softball, volleyball, baseball and football games.
Jim loved the Kansas City Chiefs, Hayden Wildcats, Benedictine Ravens, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and especially the Kansas City Royals.
In addition to his wife and children Jim is also survived by grandchildren, Jamie Votaw (Chris), Joel Geels (Ashlyn), Charles Sprouse III (Tricia), Jenna Beuerlein (Joshua), Rhiannon Lowenthal (Blake), and Larisa Ross and 12 great grandchildren and 32 godchildren.
All of the grandchildren and great grandchildren have fond memories of playing strikeout, card games and washers with Grandpa, but very few memories of actually winning against him.
One of the highlights of Jim's life came on March 6th, 2020, when he and Edna celebrated 70 years of marriage with a beautiful celebration and remarriage at Sacred Heart Church in Topeka.
The funeral will be for immediate family members only due to COVID-19.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart - St. Joseph Catholic Parish, 312 NE Freeman Ave, Topeka, KS 66616.
To share a memory of James, click the 'Share Memories' button above.
James was one of 7 children and was proceeded in death by his three sisters. Surviving are his three brothers, Bernard, Alfred and Robert.
On March 6th, 1950, Jim married the love of his life Edna Bottrell. To this union there were three children Gerald Geels (Kim), Angie Ross (Chris) and Sonia Sprouse.
Jim enjoyed an accomplished baseball career, and also served in the Navy and in the United States Army as a drill sergeant. After serving in the military Jim went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad where he was a proud Union member and served as the recording secretary for the local Union.
James passed his love of sports to his kids and grandchildren and enjoyed retirement attending their golf, softball, volleyball, baseball and football games.
Jim loved the Kansas City Chiefs, Hayden Wildcats, Benedictine Ravens, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and especially the Kansas City Royals.
In addition to his wife and children Jim is also survived by grandchildren, Jamie Votaw (Chris), Joel Geels (Ashlyn), Charles Sprouse III (Tricia), Jenna Beuerlein (Joshua), Rhiannon Lowenthal (Blake), and Larisa Ross and 12 great grandchildren and 32 godchildren.
All of the grandchildren and great grandchildren have fond memories of playing strikeout, card games and washers with Grandpa, but very few memories of actually winning against him.
One of the highlights of Jim's life came on March 6th, 2020, when he and Edna celebrated 70 years of marriage with a beautiful celebration and remarriage at Sacred Heart Church in Topeka.
The funeral will be for immediate family members only due to COVID-19.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart - St. Joseph Catholic Parish, 312 NE Freeman Ave, Topeka, KS 66616.
To share a memory of James, click the 'Share Memories' button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Gerald Geels, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 7
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors