Jon Vladimir Geffen

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Jon Vladimir Geffen of West Linn, Oregon, who passed away peacefully at the age of 85, on the night of Monday, October 21, 2024-surrounded by members of his beautiful family. A most beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, in-law, friend, beau, cherished colleague, mentor, and member of the community, Jon will always be remembered for his kindness, warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to family and friends.
Jon V. Geffen was born on July 9, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, the third in a lineage of four children born to Julia and Igor Geffen-a cellist, as well as a conductor who founded the Little Symphony in St. Louis. Jon attended Soldan High School from 1953 to 1955 and Principia Upper School from 1955 to 1957, then later attending college at Washington University.
From the start, Jon's professional path was shaped by his determination, grit, and relentless passion for achieving excellence in the attainment of many goals he set in front of himself. So much so, he would eventually thrive in not one but two highly successful careers-the first of which began with his role as a literal traveling shoe salesman, and the second, later, in the car industry. A natural entrepreneur, gifted in sales and marketing, with keen insights about how to deliver for his customers, Jon learned the ropes of the women's retail shoe business while working at department stores in St. Louis. He soon ascended the ladder to become a top-producing sales rep for popular women's lines, starting with Brown Shoe Company-which led to a position with Nina Footwear, covering an expanded territory that included the Northwest along with Northern California.
In 1965, Jon made the move to Springfield, Oregon, settling shortly after that in Lake Oswego, and ultimately West Linn-his hometown from then on. In 1968, Jon married Sallyanne McNeil and before long the Geffens celebrated the birth of two children-their son Jon Ferrell and later their daughter Brook. In these years, Jon and Sallyanne ventured into the retail shoe business, first with a small shop in Lake Oswego, The Dark Side Leatherworks, and then, in the early 70s, they opened their doors to Jon Ferrell Footwear at John's Landing, a new, popular spot for shopping and dining near downtown Portland and the Willamette River.
Meanwhile, Jon was on the move more than ever. After becoming the sales rep for the Bort Carleton line-women's shoes that featured copper grommets, wooden clog bottoms, and high platform silhouettes-he struck gold when he was tapped to rep the California-based Baretraps line. The women's brand was young, stylish and hot, mostly strappy leather sandals with wood bottoms known as "sugar pine highs." All the rage!
At a time when Nordstrom's shoe business was primed to transform the family-owned company into a retail giant, Baretraps were among the top-selling brands year in and out. As a pioneer of that success, Jon became an influential figure in the West Coast's booming shoe industry-during the same years when folks like Phil Knight and his team at Nike were making names for themselves.
By the late 1980s, however, the shoe business no longer held the same opportunities it once had. Much of the manufacturing of footwear had moved overseas and many companies were no longer enlisting sales reps as middlemen. After much deliberation, Jon turned to a lifelong interest in cars as inspiration for a second career in sales for the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships, as the head of the electric vehicle division. His job evolved over time into sales for Tonkin Friends and Family and eventually as the manager of fleet sales.
Jon absolutely thrived in his work, forming meaningful relationships with colleagues and customers alike. He truly never met a stranger. He was a consummate storyteller, had actually honed his skills while attending Toastmaster meetings, and was a great listener whose warmth, humor, and boundless energy were impossible to resist. He loved his neighbors and his tight-knit community with the Trainers Club where he was passionate about socializing and spin class. Jon collected vintage cars (he loved pre-war vintages) and showed his cars and also volunteered as a judge at the Concours D'Elegance car show in Lake Grove, where he made lasting friendships. He recalled every car he ever owned and had many beautiful modern and vintage cars over the years, but his pride and joy were his1928 Pierce Arrow, and his 1941 series 61 Cadillac coupe. He never forgot a face or a name. He was as adept at making new friends as he was at keeping in touch with old friends in particular his childhood friends from St. Louis. Despite his active social life, he refused to retire and only did so reluctantly at the age of 84.
Jon was given the blessing of a lifetime in 2016 when he was united with his son, Gary, who had been adopted by loving parents in 1963. Gary and his wife Becky decided to search for his birth parents, miraculously finding his way to Jon V. Geffen. From the moment Jon and Gary connected, the Geffens and Lands seamlessly welcomed each other into their respective families. Jon's life was deeply enriched with the addition of his oldest son Gary.
Jon's home was a second home to many family members and friends over the years. He had the friendliest smile, warmest handshake, and never held back his words of appreciation. He was a natural mentor willing to teach the Jedi rules of sales to anyone who wanted to learn. He loved lunch with friends, politics, and a good midnight glass of milk and cookies.
He went by Jon, Big Jon, JV, Dad, Pops, and Pop-Pop. He was always glad to see you and it was always good to be seen! His sign-offs were always to offer a smile and a thumbs-up, with a "Love you more," and simply a "Bye for now."
Jon Vladimir Geffen is preceded in death by his parents Igor and Julia Geffen, and his brother David H. Geffen late of Arizona. Jon is survived by his beloved children-Gary and Rebecca Land, Dr. Jon F. and Kerry Geffen, Brook Geffen-Prett and Michael Prett, and by his adored grandchildren-Alex Erbes, Augustus (Gus) Land, Anna Geffen, Parker Geffen, Alexandra (Zani) Prett and Tatum Prett-all of whom will forever cherish Pop-Pop's memory and the love he shared with them. Jon V. is also survived by his older sister Sonya Eichler, by his younger sister Judith Wills, brother-in-law Kenneth Wills, Sallyanne McNeil-Slack, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Jon will be dearly missed but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he impacted and his spirit will continue to inspire all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing.
A Celebration of Life in honor of Jon Vladimir Geffen will be held in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Details of the event will be shared with family and friends who plan to attend. Kindly RSVP by November 27, 2024 to Brook Geffen.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to causes close to Jon's heart:
Concours d'Elegance/Rotary Club of Forest Grove, Oregon
or
Principia - alma mater in St. Louis
Please visit donation links below.