Harry John Geller

Harry John Geller

Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force(Retired)

Local businessman and entrepreneur, Lt. Col. (Retired) Harry John Geller passed away Tuesday, September 7, 2004, at the hospital at Keesler Air Force Base. Mr. Geller was born February 12, 1930, in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, as the only child of Harry and Marie Geller. His family moved to Coral Gables, Florida, when he was thirteen. Mr. Geller graduated from Ponce de Leon High School and attended the University of Miami where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Lt. Colonel Geller served for 22 years as a pilot of C-130's and C-141's. He was stationed at various bases around the United States including Keesler and had two accompanied tours in France and Spain. Additionally he flew rescue missions during his tour of duty in Southeast Asia and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal and seven Air Medals. Lt. Colonel Geller retired from the Air Force and moved his family to Ocean Springs in 1975 where he began a career in real estate and commercial property appraisal becoming the fourth certified appraiser in the State of Mississippi. Mr. Geller was active in the community through a variety of organizations including a lifetime membership in the 1699 Historical Society. He was an ex-Commodore of the Biloxi Yacht Club, a member of the Board of Realtors in Biloxi and Ocean Springs and the Knights of Columbus. He loved gardening, boating, golfing, and was an avid bridge player earning a master bridge ranking. Mr. Geller was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Marie Geller, his son, Harry Joseph Geller, and infant daughter, Andrea Joan. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of nearly fifty years, Eleanor Riordan Geller ("the love of his life"), his son, John Francis Geller and wife, Paula, daughters, Teresa Ann and Kara Marie Matney, and husband, Brian, and grandchildren, John, Paul, and Cecelia Geller and Taylor Neely. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 9, 2004, from 6-8 PM, with a 7 PM Rosary, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Geller will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Friday, September 10, 2004, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs where friends may call from 11-11:30 A.M. Burial will be in the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, AL., 36604.