Lenard Franklin Geiler

Lenard Franklin Geiler, 96, died Thrusday, August 7, 2008 at Samaritan Village in Prescott, Arizona, He was born August 26, 1911 in Vandalia, Missoui, to Thomas J. and Bessie (Lamme) Geiler. He attended Tempe Normal (ASU) and the Los Angeles College of Optometry.   Lenard married Mabel Anderson in Glendale, Arizona, Mabel died in 1996. He is survived by two sons;  Tom (Becky) and Jim (Carolyn): five grandchildren: Todd, Lori, Bill, Amy, and Gary: and four great grandchildren: Jon Cross, Carolyn Grace, Shelby Anne, and Ashley Lynn; and his companion, Johanna Dickson.   Lenard and his family moved to Prescott in 1946, and he establihed his optometric practice here. He was also a  cattle rancher and previously in the grocery store business; He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, Elks, Kiwanis, Smoki People, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the American Optometric Association. He was also a member of the Yavapai and Arizona Cattle Growers and National Rifle Association.   His many contributions to Arizona, Yavapai County and Prescott include: serving as Immigration Commissioner for the county; the founding of Baptist College in Prescott (Grand Canyon College) and Yavapai College; serving as president of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and at that time establishing the original pipeline for water from Chino Valley; and the YMCA construction.