Jeffrey Roy Geesa, 29, died peacefully at his home in Chicago, on Tuesday Feb. 3, 2015. He was born on May 1, 1985, in Indianapolis. He was the son of Orval Roy Geesa and Susan Sauer Geesa of New Palestine.
Jeffrey is survived by his parents; his partner, Arianna Hess of Chicago; his sister, Rachel Louise Geesa of Arlington, Va.; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Orval and Mary Geesa of Newton County, Ind. and George and Dorothy Sauer of Richmond, Ind.
He graduated from New Palestine High School in 2002, and from the John Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University in 2007with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and a minor in art history. After graduation, Jeffrey moved to New York City where he worked at various positions in the arts until he returned to the Midwest in 2009.
Jeffrey then moved to Chicago and worked as a painting and drawing instructor at the Hyde Park Art Center. Jeffrey entered the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2013, as a candidate for a Master of Fine Arts and as a Writing Fellow.
In addition to the duties of his writing fellowship, Jeffrey served at SAIC as a Graduate Assistant and Administrative Assistant as he mentored and assisted undergraduate students in writing skills.
Jeffrey is remembered by his fellow students, colleagues, faculty, friends, and family as a kind, sensitive, compassionate, and giving individual who was loving and generous to all who met him.
Jeffrey’s accomplishments in the arts included art shows in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Baltimore, New York City, and Chicago. He also contributed an essay for an art catalogue at Cornell University in 2014.
Besides his work in the visual arts, Jeffrey was a talented and accomplished drummer, guitarist, and song writer. Jeffrey’s musical activity included performances at many venues in Indianapolis, Chicago, and other cities. Jeffrey contributed as a guitarist, vocalist, and drummer on multiple recordings as well.
The family welcomes all to join in a Celebration of Life from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, at the Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67 St., Indianapolis, IN. This celebration will include refreshments and will be an opportunity to share memories, pictures, stories, smiles, and tears with Jeffrey’s friends and family. Those who knew Jeffrey would tell you that Jeffrey would be pleased to see his friends and loved ones celebrating his life with love, music, joy, and happiness.
A separate memorial service for Jeffrey is being planned by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This memorial service is scheduled to occur on Monday, February 16, 2015 at the SAIC in downtown Chicago. Specific information about that remembrance will be posted as it becomes available.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jeffrey Geesa Memorial Fund c/o The Office of Institutional Advancement, 116 South Michigan Avenue 5th floor, Chicago, Ill., 60603. If you wish to contribute by phone, please call 312-499-4193.
Condolences may be mailed to Ewald-Barlock Funeral Home, 2501 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago Ill. 60614-2124 or email condolences to [email protected]
