Name: Calling hours for John Paul Gee
Start: 2019-01-29T05:30:00.000Z
End: 2019-01-29T19:00:00.000Z
Location: The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory - Washington Street Chapel

John Paul Gee

MUNCIE - John Paul Gee, 78, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2019 at I.U. Health Ball Memorial Hospital, with his loving wife of 46 years, Patricia Crane, at his side.

He was born October 31, 1940, in Indianapolis, the son of Paul and Haveline (Miller) Gee. John graduated from Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, and completed an MFA in Fine Art at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He has been a resident of Muncie since the early 1970's.

Mr. Gee taught at Universities for over 45 years, most recently at Ball State University, retiring in 2011.

His personal artworks are in museums, and in many other public and private collections. John's art was exhibited in one-man shows and competitively for over five decades, earning many awards and recognitions. John also always took vital interest in his wife Patricia's sculpture works, offering not only his name-brand, stringent art critiques, but also in person moral support, on the journey of Patricia's eventual international reputation as a sculptor of horses.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia Crane; and a first cousin, Judy Fleace and her children.

Mr. Gee was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson.

Friends may call at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel, from 12:30 pm until service time at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

Online condolences may be made to the family at meeksmortuary.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Star Press from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for John Gee

Sponsored by The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory - Washington Street Chapel.

12 Entries

Michael Foster

March 13, 2020

What can I say about Mr. Gee? And equally important, what can I say about his impact on my life and how I carry him with me everyday!

John was my toughest professor in college. Everyone in the art department heard about the legendary John Gee and his difficult drawing courses. Being a sophomore at Ball State and deciding to switch majors from computer science to graphic design through the art department, I had never drawn a day in my life and I was beyond nervous to find out if I had any ability to draw. After my Drawing 2 course with Gee, I could draw anythingand everything! He pushed me beyond my limits and helped me discover the artist inside of myself that I never knew existed!

What started as just taking 2 drawing courses to fulfill my drawing requirements for my graphic design degree, turned into taking 7 drawing courses at Ball State. 6 of those courses were with the legendary John Gee. My ability, style, and techniques have all been nurtured and shaped by Gee. His high standards for quality drove me to become the great artist I am today.

So what do I do now? And why? Believe it or not, I am a high school art teacher. In a million years I would never have thought I would end up as a high school teacher. But as luck would have it, here I am, teaching multiple grades and different classes. Everything from Art Fundamentals for freshman to Graphic Design and Digital Photography for juniors and seniors.

I bring a little bit of John to school everyday. When my high school students complain to me about how hard I might push them, or how serious I take my art class and their art education. I know that the benefits of the hard work and time that Gee made me put in to earn his approval and good grades will carry on to another generation of artists. He was a great man, an amazing teacher, and I will never forget the lessons he taught me and the skills he gave me.

I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to do something meaningful with my life. I had worked for a decade as a digital artist, but remembering back to my college experience, I realized it was the people like John that helped me find my passion in life. Being able to give students the opportunity to grow and learn through the lens of art has been the best career change I have ever made. I love what I do and the feeling of teaching and having students discover themselves through art is priceless. I know that John felt the blessings of being a teacher, no matter how hard he may have been as a professor, he had a big heart. No man would choose to teach if they didn't have a love for art and a love for people.

John Gee will be thoroughly missed, but his art and his knowledge lives on through countless generations of artists that he taught.
Thank you Patricia, for supporting a man who supported so many men and women who desired to improve themselves through the world of art.

Gratefully yours,
-Michael Foster

Michelle Ntiamoah

January 4, 2020

I found out you passed away today. Karen at the ARt Mart told me. I was saddened to have learned of your passing. You were a great professor, I got to spend many years in your classes as a drawing major. I'm glad to have known you and forever changed by your inspiration, for sight and instruction. I pray peace over your family and members and place at God's table. Rest in peace Gee.

June 3, 2019

how can i sing the praise of john gee?
he opened me up and gave me a future.

he was able to uplift all his students with his critiques. never negative, always positive. a storehouse of knowledge in his brain.
he turned me onto thelonious monk and rahsaan roland kirk
it makes me sad to learn of his passing, but i carry love and joy in my heart from having shared some time in life with him.
he lived and loved life.
the world is a better place for having had him in it.
steve neff

Debra (hershey) Key

February 13, 2019

So glad that I could say that I had John Gee as my Drawing instructor at BSU. Great memories.

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Lydia Gerbig-Fast

January 28, 2019

John was an amazing teacher and a major part of my arts education at BSU (major in drawing and metals). He probably gave me too much slack... I've thought of him endlessly over these long years and am so sad to know he has passed. Prayers lifted up for your comfort and peace.

Tien May

January 27, 2019

Patricia, I am deeply saddened in learning of John's passing. He has left us with a huge legacy of art, artist creativity and friendship. John was a delight and a very kind man who enjoyed teaching to the fullest. John will be missed immensely. My thoughts and love are with you Pat.

Tom Brown

January 27, 2019

I took only 2 art classes, both in drawing, at BSU in the early 80's, as a Geology/Anthropology major I was not like the rest of the students, but Dr. Gee was a lasting influence. He told me when my stuff was crap and when it was better than most. More importantly, he told me why. Sad to see this obit, but happy to have known him for a brief instant those 35 years past.

Brian Gordy

January 26, 2019

Very saddened by the passing of John Gee, who was a very important influence on the development of countless artists, including myself. John was a most charismatic professor whose critiques were notoriously entertaining, satirical and poignant. He will be missed.

Wanda

January 26, 2019

Patricia, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a delight to talk with. My thoughts are with you. Sending love and blessings. Wanda

Jason Fragomeni

January 25, 2019

Mr. Gee was my drawing professor. He taught me so much. I'm glad I had the chance to know him and learn from him. He will be missed.

Cindy Norrick Turner

January 25, 2019

To John's family..coming to BSU as an inexperienced artist with little confidence in my abilities, I was very fortunate to have John as one of my first design professors. Through honest, yet positive critique, he encouraged me to be more of an artist than I knew I was capable of being. I came to BSU as a non traditional student after suffering through a bad marriage and worse divorce. I'd never had art classes, but had always enjoyed drawing and creating art. It was professors like John that helped
me develop as an artist & as a confident person. I've always respected John's abilities as both an instructor and as an artist. I'm so very sorry that I never got the opportunity to tell him how much I appreciated his teaching me. My sincerest
condolences to his family and closest friends.

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