By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

TRIPLE CROWN - Lawrence "Larry" Geis believed humor was a remedy.

When his family asked how he earned the Purple Heart during World War II, he would reply with, "whatever was humorous at the time," said his grandson, Patrick Geis of Virginia Beach. "He never really did tell us how he got it, but he would make up a funny story."

"He was always a comedian," said his son, Larry Jr. of Virginia Beach.

Mr. Geis Sr. died Thursday at his Triple Crown home from complications from a stroke. He was 85.

From 1937 until 1983, Mr. Geis worked for Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co., starting in the gas department and eventually becoming a dispatcher supervisor.

Also, while he worked a CG&E, he spent 20 years as a guard for Pinkerton Security.

Raised in Price Hill, where he lived most of his life, Mr. Geis graduated from Elder High School in 1937.

For more than 40 years, he served as a gatekeeper and ticket taker for Elder High School games.

"He had a purple Elder hat and a hat with the American flag on it and he alternated between the two," said his daughter, Mary Beth Bruening of North Bend, with whom he lived for the past 13 years.

"Elder was very near to him. He only missed one game (as a ticket taker) and that was because he was in the hospital," his daughter said.

In 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy and served as a member of the Seabee construction battalion in the Pacific and the Marshall Islands. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Price Hill, resuming his career with the gas company.

About 13 years ago, Mr. Geis moved to Triple Crown to live with his daughter.

Mr. Geis was past commander of the American Legion Post No. 437.

His wife, Emma Geis, preceded him in death.

Besides his son, grandson and daughter, other survivors include a daughter, Jackie Banks of Middleton; two other sons, Steve of Price Hill and Jim of Greendale, Ind.; 16 other grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Radel Funeral Home, 650 Neeb Road, Delhi Township.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Visitation Church, 3172 South Road, Mack.

Memorials can be made to Elder High School Band or Panther Athletic Complex Fund, 3900 Vincent Ave., Cincinnati 45205, or Heartland Hospice, 2300 Wall St., Suite 0, Norwood, 45212.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com