James Henderson Geer, 82, died Feb. 12, 2015, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jim was born Sept. 27, 1932, in Johnstown, son of Frank Densmore Geer Jr. and Harriet (Parker) Geer. He had two brothers, Frank Densmore Geer III and Roger Friesell Geer, both now deceased.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Jean Alice (Gray) Geer; as well as his sons, John Gray Geer (Beth Prichard Geer) and David Frank Geer. His grandchildren through John are Megan Geer Waggoner (James) and James Daniel Geer, and his grandchildren through David are Malleri Samantha Weinfeld-Geer and Elyssa Aynslee Geer. Jim had two step grandchildren from John and Beth, Fredric Thomas Alpert and Olivia Scott Alpert. He also had many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954, Jim then served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of first lieutenant and serving as a pilot. During his time in the military, he met Dan Maxwell of Fayetteville, N.C., who became his best friend. After leaving the military, he earned his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. During the next five decades, he held faculty positions at SUNY-Buffalo, University of Pennsylvania, SUNY-Stony Brook and Louisiana State University. Since 2005, he had been a visiting scholar at Franklin & Marshall College. Over the course of his career, he published 72 scholarly articles, five books and 15 book chapters. He secured major grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Mental Health. His scholarship continues to have wide influence in the study of human sexuality.

He married Jean, the love of his life, in 1955. She was literally the girl next door in Westmont Borough. Jim was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He loved all his family and was without doubt the unofficial patriarch of the extended Geer family. He found time for hobbies, which included fishing, sailing, sports and community theater.

When all is said and done, Jim made the most of his 82 years on this planet. He left an indelible mark on his family, on his friends and on society through his scientific contributions. His was a life well lived.

That life will be celebrated by family and friends July 18 in Johnstown, where he will be laid to rest in the Geer family plot at Grandview Cemetery.

Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2015, in Johnstown Democrat