James Joseph Geiger

James Joseph Geiger, 88, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Friendship Village, in Kalamazoo. Jim was born August 22, 1937, in Chicago, IL, the son of Otto and Louise (Rendler) Geiger. As a child, Jim was very close with his parents, and his big sister, Barb. He was incredibly gifted academically, and also took music lessons when he was young, although he most enjoyed playing ball in the sandlots with his friends, and water skiing when his parents moved to Maple Lake, in Paw Paw. After his high school graduation from DePaul University Academy, Jim received several scholarships, and was awarded degrees from Purdue, Harvard, the California Institute of Technology and the University of Stuttgart, in Germany. His career took him to locations throughout the country, working for companies including Boeing, CBS and Salesforce. He also started his own software company in 1979, Geiger Data Systems.

Jim loved a good game of cards, chess and Trivial Pursuit. He was a voracious reader, enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and was a lifelong learner. But perhaps Jim’s greatest trait was his humility. Despite all of his scholastic and professional accomplishments, he never bragged or talked about himself. Jim was also an amazing brother and uncle, and no matter where on the map life took him, he always made a weeklong summer pilgrimage to visit his sister and her family on the farm in Lawton.

Upon retiring in 2002, Jim moved back to Michigan to be near his family, into his dream retirement home in Portage, built by his nephew, Mark. But as luck would have it, after decades of bachelorhood, Jim found and met the love his life, Jan Velicer. Jim and Jan married in 2007 and settled in the Kansas City area, providing Jim many years of happiness with Jan, and her family. Together, they traveled the world, visited their families, attended dinners, symphony concerts and church services, and enjoyed each other’s mutual love and admiration. After Jan’s sudden illness and passing in 2022, and as Jim continued his battle with dementia, he moved one final time to his last home at Friendship Village.

Jim’s family is appreciative of the respect, love and compassion provided by the staff of Friendship Village for the past four years, and more recently, by Centrica Care Navigators Hospice.

Jim was preceded in death by his adoring wife, Jan Velicer; his sister and brother-in-law, Barb and Art Stermer; and by his parents, Otto and Louise Geiger. He is survived by his niece and nephews – “The Stermer Kids” (who, by the way, called him “UJ”, short for Uncle Jim) – and their families: Mark (Yvonne) Stermer, Ruth Waters, Paul (Amy) Stermer, John (Deb) Stermer, Jim Stermer and Tom (Pam) Stermer. Jim is also survived by his step-children and their families, who loved him like their very own father and grandfather: Mark Velicer, Christine Velicer, Greg (Nicco) Velicer and Dan (Kristi) Velicer, as well as many other loved ones, including college pal and lifelong best friend, Bob (the late Alexandra) Wainwright, and a special friend from Friendship Village, Kathie Tomlinson.

Funeral arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw, with a public visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, followed by a private graveside service for family at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Kansas City Symphony or Centrica Care Navigators.

Forever the kind and humble gentleman – Rest in Peace, Jim.