Brian Clifford Geier 70 years old, born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 15, 1949, died on February 5, 2020, in his San Juan Capistrano, California home. He was an only child, born to Clifford and Sue Geier both deceased. He is survived by his cousins John Baublits, Keith and Kirk Altergott, Linnette Benson, Linda Childers, Howard and David Geier, Michael and Richard Vana, Ginny Tumminaro, and Vicky Burbridge.
He graduated from Southern Illinois University and went on to obtain his Masters in Education from Long Beach State University. He was also a student at Saddleback College in the early 80's and was hired on by the college in 1981. Brian was tragically paralyzed from the waist down in an automobile accident as a young man in his twenties. However, this immobility didn't hinder or detour him from living a life filled with athletic achievements combined with a heart of gold and passion for giving back to hundreds of other handicapped and/or disabled people. Brian is well known for pioneering sports like wheelchair basketball and tennis. In the 90's he took on an adjunct faculty position and lead efforts to create a Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp that provided opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in competition and recreation at the college. For a time, he was nationally ranked for wheelchair tennis where he competed in many tournaments and excelled in the sport over the years. He wanted to leave behind a "can-do" mentality for all those handicapped lives he encountered, encouraged and touched. Brian coached and played for the Saddleback College wheelchair basketball team, which had some outstanding runs to the top over the many seasons. He was a naturally charismatic leader to all those whom shared in his life of coaching and teaching. He genuinely cared about people and gave back to the community whom he loved.
Brian cherished family and friends, and people continuously dropped by to visit him. When doing so, one had to be careful when approaching his house by vehicle, because on most occasions, Brain would be outside rolling around in his sleek Quickie sports designed wheelchair mentoring the abundancy of neighbor children whom were constantly at his side in the cul-de-sac learning how to throw a Frisbee, or hold and properly throw baseballs and footballs. Brian always made time for the kids, and everyone was included when teams were created. These neighborhood kids were fond of Brian, they would be seen laughing, learning and playing sports at his side until dark.
He absolutely loved his Chi-Town sports teams. The Chicago Bears with that amazing mid 80's Super Bowl team and of course we can't forget the Michael Jordan led era of dominance for the Chicago Bulls. On big game days his house would be full of copious others in wheelchairs with the rock-n-roll albums buzzing joyfully in the background, everyone hooting and hollering, enticingly glued to the TV watching the latest top athletes in tennis, basketball, and football dominate on the court or field during their set play, in the key (in the paint as it's known in basketball) or on the grid iron respectfully. Brian looked forward to his occasional summer trips back to Chicago to visit with close family and friends and of course to take in a game at the historical Wrigley Field. These trips to the Midwest were a true blessing to Brian to be with his friends and families celebrating "Brian Fest." He seemed to be inspired and rejuvenated when he returned home to California.
Most importantly of all, Brain loved and had a relationship with God. He now resides in the eternity of Heaven with his glorified body, the use of his legs, surrounded by loved ones, immersed in the Holy presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.