Roll Call Tribute

Raymond Jeffrey Geye
September 20, 1942 – January 3, 2023

Raymond “Jeff” Geye, 80, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Jeff’s final days were spent surrounded by the family he loved so much.

Jeff was a shining light in our lives. He loved spending time with family and friends, all things Texas A&M, the Dallas Cowboys, the US Army, playing golf, watching weird movies and every sporting event on TV, eating ice cream, traveling, making funny faces and cracking jokes, entertaining babies with his Donald Duck impressions, laughing, and enjoying life.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 35 years Barbara; daughters Tracey Selmon and Alyson Black; grandchildren Sloan and Maddie Selmon and Keegan and Angus Black; sons-in-law Rodney Selmon and Duncan Black; stepson Tommy Cognato (his wife Sherry and daughters Meghan and Leah), stepson Steve Cognato (his wife Kim and sons Steven and Bennett), stepdaughter Cathy Behuniak (her husband Jason and son Aiden); nieces Melissa Cisneros and Terry Shepherd, nephew Heston Starkey, and their families; brother-in-law James Starkey, and many beloved cousins, friends, and neighbors. Jeff and Barbara love their little dog Nellie to the moon and back.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Mary Lou Edmiston Geye and Arthur Raymond Geye and his sister Judith Ann Starkey.

Jeff was born in Austin, Texas on September 20, 1942. Jeff lived in Bemidji, MN for two years with his mother while his father was overseas fighting in WWII. His family moved to McGregor, Texas until Jeff was in 2nd grade, then to Lufkin, TX from third grade through high school. One of Jeff’s proudest moments was when his sister Judy was adopted in 1949 as an infant.

Jeff graduated from Lufkin High School in 1960; he was an Eagle Scout and played tennis, basketball, and golf.

Jeff attended Texas A&M University from 1960 to 1965 as a member of the Corps of Cadets, and he obtained a B.S. in Psychology. In 1965 he became a U.S. Army Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant where he first served in Air Defense in Okinawa.

After serving his first tour overseas, Jeff returned stateside to complete his Masters of Science in Social Work degree at UT Arlington and fulfilled his clinical hours at the Mountain View School for Boys. After graduating with this Master’s, he served two active duty tours in the US Army and retired as Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army Reserves. Jeff’s distinguished service in the US Army awarded him countless honors, and he lived in many interesting places such as Okinawa, Kansas, Alaska, and West Point, NY.

Upon retirement from the Army, Jeff dedicated 21 years to the US Veterans Administration as Vet Center Team Leader where he founded Vet Centers in Austin, Lubbock, and Little Rock. He counseled veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and won several outstanding national performance awards.

Jeff was a community servant and volunteered countless hours in the Rotary Club, Lions Club, American Red Cross, Big Brothers, and Big Sisters, and the Pastor Parish Committee of the United Methodist Church.

Jeff found joy in helping others and creating special memories with his family and friends. Jeff was a supportive dad and grandfather and enjoyed his children’s (and grandchildren’s) many endeavors and never missed a sporting event. Jeff and Barbara loved adventure and travel, and they crossed the globe, having fun together every day.

A memorial service for Jeff will be held Monday, January 23, 2023, at 11:30 am at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush, Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252. A graveside service will be held later that day at 3:00 pm at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Thank you for your love and support.

IN THE CARE OF
Ted Dickey West Funeral Home