Edward O. Geer

Edward O. Geer, 93, of Lakewood died February 4, 2012. He was born on May 19, 1918 in London, OH. EDUCATION: 1936 graduate of LONDON HIGH SCHOOL 1942 graduate of OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, with degree of Bachelor of Science in Journalism Sigma Chi Fraternity Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Fraternity Business Manager of ""The Lantern,"" the university daily newspaper 1949 graduate of University of Denver School of Law, with degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity MILITARY SERVICE: 1942 – 1946 SPECIAL AGENT, COUNTER INTELLIGENCE CORPS in World War II, South Pacific Theater, as a Staff Sergeant and was promoted by a battlefield commission to a First Lieutenant after the invasion of New Guinea and Woodlark Island. OFFICES: 1949 – 1951 ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY OF DENVER 1951 – 1953 Private practice of law 1953 – 1954 Appointed by Democratic mayor to office of MANAGER OF SAFETY & EXCISE of City of Denver, thereby becoming a member of the mayor's cabinet and in charge of city and county jails, sheriff's office, police and fire departments and all licensing. 1954 – 1955 Appointed MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE – Denver 1955 – 1959 Again appointed, by a Republican mayor, to office of MANAGER OF SAFETY AND EXCISE 1959 – 1981 Private practice of law Member of Colorado Academy of Trial Lawyers and American Trial 1964 – 1999 MUNICIPAL COURT PROSECUTOR, City of Glendale While Manager of Safety, Ed revised the Denver Police Department. As reported in the Rocky Mountain News editorial dated July 1, 1959, upon leaving the office he is noted for several noted accomplishments: 1) the installation of an Intelligence Bureau, 2) the formation of a Bureau of Internal Affairs, and 3) the establishment of the Narcotics Squad. He also instituted summer shirts and eliminated the useless Sam Brown belts for policemen. He also initiated a civil service system for the City of Denver and got rid of the old patronage system. He authorized several changes in the city charter. Among other changes, the pension for police and fire departments. In 1958 he integrated the Denver Fire Department and eliminated ""only black"" fire stations. He became the youngest Manager of Safety in the history of Denver. He was the only Manager of Safety to serve under a Democratic mayor and recalled to serve under a Republican Mayor. Ed also had a great love for horses. He owned, trained and raced Standardbred Trotters and Pacers. He had an A license to drive his own horses and drove and won a race with a horse named Quebec at Centennial Race Track in Littleton, CO on December 15, 1974. He traveled to Columbus Ohio and Lexington, KY each fall with his wife, Dorothy, to attend horse sales, buy horses and watch his horses race. He had many trainers over the years, among them Terry Holton, Gene Riegle, Joe Adamsky, Jeff Smith, Larry fisher and Jim Arledge, Jr. Four of his favorite horses were Deputy Marshall, Polished Satin, Dorothy's Jate, and Dancer's Woe. Survived by wife, Dorothy Jean (Franz) Geer; Daughter, Rhonda Stevenson; Grandchildren, Christopher Stevenson & Joseph Stevenson; Great-Grandchildren, Trey Stevenson & Christian Stevenson; Niece, Judith Powell A Visitation will be on Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, Colorado 80227. Funeral Service will be Monday, February 13, 2012, 10:30PM at Faith Bible Chapel South, 4250 South Federal Boulevard, Sheridan, Colorado 80110. Interment to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235. Please share your memories of Edward and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button below.