Elvis Paul Geeslin, 1949–2023
Paul Geeslin, also known as Dad, Poppa, and Uncle Paul was called home on March 15, 2023. Paul was born on May 5, 1949 in College Station, Texas. He was the son of Mark and Lauda Geeslin of Jayton, Texas, where he grew up and graduated from Jayton High School in 1967. It was during high school that Paul began dating Patricia Garner. Following high school, Paul attended McMurry University in Abilene and South Plains College in Levelland, and later transferred to Texas Tech University, where he graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. Paul married the love of his life, Patricia Garner, on November 27, 1969. Together they raised two sons in Lubbock, Texas, Paul Dakus Geeslin and Garner Chad Geeslin.
Paul Geeslin was very active in the community and dedicated his life to public service. Paul’s father, Mark Allison Geeslin, instilled a passion for the outdoors and Scouts as Paul earned the rank of Eagle Scout, participated in treks to Philmont, attended the National Jamboree, and continued to serve in multiple leadership roles in Troops 507 and 157 in Lubbock for more than 25 years. He was a proud graduate and trainer within the advanced national leadership program of Wood Badge. He later earned one of the highest awards in Scouting, the Silver Beaver Award, for his distinguished service and leadership within the South Plains Council. It was during Scouts that Paul formed many friendships and developed his love for outdoor cooking using cast iron cookware. He quickly got carried away with this hobby and cooked with a group of outlaws he called dear friends. This merry band of pranksters gallivanted across the Southwest catering events and competing in chuck wagon cooking competitions, and occasionally winning prize money for their dutch oven meals. More recently, he joined the Texas Tech Chef’s Club and continued to hone his culinary skills with this group of friends.
Paul’s love for youth leadership was evident in a lifetime of dedicated service. He coached several youth football and baseball teams. Paul also loved the outdoors and taught his sons and many friends to hunt and fish and respect Mother Nature. Throughout his life he made frequent trips to his heaven on Earth, Philmont Scout Ranch, and spent countless vacations in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado with family and friends. Paul was an active member in the Lubbock Fly Fishers and loved spending time with club members at meetings and fly-fishing outings in the mountains. Paul also served as a cook at the Texas Brigades’ Bass Brigade youth leadership camp and at the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited youth trout camp, marrying many of his passions in serving youth organizations.
Paul Geeslin was extremely proud of his family and loved them dearly. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Geeslin of Lubbock; son Dakus and wife, Kassi Geeslin, of Buda, Texas; son Chad and wife, Therin Geeslin, of Austin, Texas; sister Minette Etheridge and brother- in-law, Brad, of Metairie, Louisiana; three grandchildren, Paul D. of Buda, and TrubyandGarnerofAustin; brother-in-law Bunky Garner of Austin; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Lauda Geeslin, and brother David “Gig ’em” Geeslin.
The family is planning a celebration of life memorial service to be held in the near future with announcements forthcoming. The family wishes memorial donations be made to the Lubbock Fly Fishers through their paypal account at lubbockflyfishers@ gmail.com or website https://dot.cards/ lubbockflyfishers
