James H Geiger

James H. Geiger, 79, passed away on December 14, 2013, in Bismarck, ND. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, December 21, at Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. He was born on November 20, 1934, in Fort Yates, ND, to George and Christine Schweitzer Geiger. James graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1954. He attended two years of college at Dickinson State College, where he was a proud member of the football team. Following college, James enlisted in the United States Army, where he was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, Fort Bragg, NC. James married Margaret White in 1959, and together they had four children, Jeff, Jackie, Jimmy, and Kurt. James held a variety of occupations throughout his life including: owner of Jim's Texaco, heavy equipment hauler at Northern Improvement, a truck-driver for Wheeler Lumber, and hotel-manager at various locations across the United States. Wanting to be closer to family, James retired in 1996 and moved back to North Dakota. After discovering retirement was not yet for him, James became the manager of Beulah Bay Campground in 1996, where he made many improvements and expanded the campground. Attempting to retire again, James moved to Dickinson, ND, where he lived at the North Park Campground. Here James became close friends with the owner, Ted Bratten, and found joy in helping around the campground, which led to James' final job as a handy man. James finally "retired" when he married his college sweetheart Janice Gifford, in 2011, and moved to Mott, ND. James loved to tinker and was known for his ability to fix things, from toys for his grandkids to rebuilding car motors. James was a sportsman and loved camping, hunting, and fishing. He also spent many hours "mechanich-ing" on cars, be it his own or a family members, or stock cars, which he and his youngest son raced at the Dickinson dirt track. He enjoyed traveling, always taking the back roads, so he could marvel at the beauty of God's creation. He was the proud Grandpa to 10 grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. James was a family man and always put his family first. James is survived by his children, Jeff Dianna Geiger, Jackie Kevin Hay, and Kurt Tammy Geiger; his grandchildren, Caleb Geiger, Hallea Geiger, Zach Ashley Hay, Matt Hay, Chelsea Hay, Jesse Baker, Breanna Geiger, Nakoa Baker, Brittnee Geiger, and Cole Baker; his great-grandchildren, Kallie Hay, Aubrey Hay, Ryker Hay, Parker Frenzel, Paxtyn Geiger, and Riggins Reese; his siblings, Ed Angie Geiger, Sally Bernhardt, Helen Moch, Fran Al Schoonover, Jane John Barnes, and Patricia Geiger; many nieces and nephews; and several children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren from Janice whom he loved as his own. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, James A. Geiger. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in James' name to The God's Child Project in Bismarck, ND.

James H Geiger

November 20, 1934 - December 14, 2013