Paul Bradley Geist

Paul Bradley Geist, 62, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 20, 2023, at The University of Kansas Health System.

Services will be held 10:00 am, Monday, November 27, 2023, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Kansas. Family will greet friends from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas.

Paul was born Tuesday, March 21, 1961, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Robert R. and Jean (Winn) Geist. He was a lifelong Ottawa resident graduating from Ottawa High School with the class of 1979. Paul was united in marriage on June 28, 1986, in Ottawa to Debbie (Deb) Wantland. She survives of the home.

He was employed with Dodson International in Rantoul, Kansas, for forty-three years. From the beginning, he worked his way into sales and eventually became Vice President. Paul loved attending auctions, knew every part of an airplane and helicopter, hosted customers in his home, was the grumpy man in the corner that needed an afternoon nap and was the glue that held everyone together.

Paul, “The Man, The Myth, The Legend” never knew a stranger. He was the most charismatic man in the room, known for his smile and laugh. He greeted everyone with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and his garage was always open. He played a tough guy, but emotional and tender at heart.

In his early years, Paul was an avid sports player and playing baseball in the back yard on Sycamore. Paul loved Ottawa and known for being a creature of habit. He started each day with KOFO, gas station coffee and scratchers. A day wasn’t complete without Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Let’s Make a Deal. Paul was at his ‘Happy Place’ when he was at the beach, watching the Chiefs or cruising in his Cadillac.

His grandkids looked up to him, knowing he was a cool Papa, and he never missed an opportunity to teach his nieces and nephews about the many “life lessons” that he had learned along the way. He was the ultimate supervisor for his brothers’ house projects, sitting on his chair and telling them exactly how he would do it.

He was a dad, papa, loving husband, caring brother and a best friend to many. He made sure to always look his best with his shades, gold chain and cologne, and when you told him he looked good he responded with his famous quick, “I know.” Paul was also a simple man, known for his white tank top, summer tan, and Keystone in hand.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Ralph Housman; and nephew Russel Geist.

Survivors include his wife Deb; daughters Mallory Hull (Eric) of Ottawa, Kansas, Nicole Rogers (Eddie) of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, and Rachelle Snethen (Tony) of Overland Park, Kansas; siblings Shari Housman of Raymore, Missouri, Teresa McClay (Bob) of Ottawa, Kansas, Denise Roggenkamp (Duane) of Baldwin, Kansas, Annette Ferguson (Brad) of Wellsville, Kansas, Rick Geist of Ottawa, Kansas, Joe Geist (Shela Chilton) of Ottawa, Kansas, Robert “Rob” Geist (Kathy McGrath) of Ottawa, Kansas, John Geist (Denise) of Garden City, Kansas, and Phillip Geist (Terra) of Williamsburg, Kansas; seven grandchildren Braylon, Bryson, Haydon, Hadleigh, Ellison, Natalie and Trey; along with his pet dog “Piper” and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa High School Sports Department or Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.