Joe Floyd Geil, 73, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away peacefully at home with his family. He was born in Sweet Home to Vernon and Mildred (Pappin) Geil.

Joe was raised in Sweet Home and worked hard and played hard. He spent his early years playing high school ball for the Huskies and enjoyed drag racing out near the Langmack Airstrip.

As a young man, he helped his father in the Veneer/Lumber Mills. He took his wife and family to New Mexico and for five years managed two mills processing timber from the Hila Forest and moved the lumber to the south eastern states with a small fleet of three trucks.

Upon returning to Oregon, he ventured into rock crushing, timber management, and ranching. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington was an opportunity for his skill and knowledge to be put to work recovering the downed timber of the surrounding forests. He was employed by the Army Corps of Engineers to clear the Foster and Green Peter reservoirs of floating logs and debris.

When he wasn’t working, he relaxed with friends. He enjoyed many activities like waterskiing, snowmobiling, deep sea fishing, and hunting with friends and family.

Joe enjoyed his life membership with the ELKS. He was proud to be a member of the Sweet Home Fire department for 23 years.

Joe is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Joyce Caroline (Morss) Geil; children, Sandra Carol, Timothy Ray, and Pamella Jo; grandchildren, Angela, Acacia, Blair, Erika, Arielle and Caitlyn; and seven great grandchildren; brother Mike and wife Grace Geil; sisters, Joy and husband Fred Honeywell, Starla and husband Paul Walker, Mary and husband David Simond, and Martha and husband Steve Morrill. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Vernon and Mildred Geil; and his brother in law, Pastor Bob Swope.

Viewing will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 10, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Graveside service will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 11, at the beautiful Gilliland Cemetery. A celebration of Joe’s life and luncheon will follow immediately at the Sweet Home Senior Center. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and lunch will be at 12:00, noon. It is Joe’s wish that his family, friends, and neighbors gather to share dinner, memories, and laughter!

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.