John Geiken

John G. Geiken passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 88.

Born on June 20, 1936, in Billings, Montana, to Edna Mae and Guy G. Geiken, John grew up in Billings and attended Billings Senior High School. Known for his "James Dean" style, he could often be seen riding through the city on his Jawa motorcycle. He worked as a firefighter in the Montana mountains, earning the respect of seasoned fire crews.

After high school, he attended Eastern Montana College for two years, where he met his future wife, Arlene Doris Schmitt, before transferring to Montana State University. He graduated in 1959 with a degree in business, and later that year, he and Arlene were married. Together, they welcomed three children: Julie in 1964, Brad in 1968, and Virginia in 1973.

John began his career at Burroughs Corporation before transitioning to banking, where he enjoyed a long and successful career surviving many changes and mergers. He worked for Northwest Bancorporation, which later became Norwest Corporation and eventually merged with Wells Fargo, where he completed his career.

Alongside his professional pursuits, John served as a Navy reservist, working as a secretary and Morse Code operator aboard ships. He was deeply patriotic.

John was deeply compassionate and believed in inclusivity within the banking industry. He was committed to helping those less fortunate and was often seen ringing the Salvation Army bell during the holidays. Outside of work, he cherished time with his family and enjoyed making Saturday morning pancake breakfasts for his children. He had a lifelong love for the outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains of Colorado and Arizona.

Unbeknownst to most, John was a very good amateur artist and he also held a deep appreciation for a wide range of musical genres. He was very well-read about many diverse subjects but definitely enjoyed history of all types the most. His love for cars was obvious as he seemed to be driving something different all the time!

John was known for his big, warm smile and his ability to listen and observe. He was often a man of few words but when he did speak, he conveyed much wisdom. He will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his wife, Arlene; children Julie Persaud, Brad Geiken, and Virginia Walton (Phil Walton); and grandchildren Adriana, Calista, Ella, and August. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.