Gabriel Thomas Georgeff

Gabriel "Gil" Thomas Georgeff Gabriel "Gil" Thomas Georgeff, 83, a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2013. He was born on July 7, 1929 in Granite City, IL. He moved to Scottsdale, Arizona from Blue Springs, Missouri in 2005 after the death of his beloved wife of 53 years, Helen Druen Jones Georgeff in 2003. He was a graduate of Central Methodist University where he was named All American and his number 22 was retired from all sports. He still holds several records at the University. He coached and taught Physical Education at Warrenton, Mo. before coming to Blue Springs in the fall of 1952 to teach and coach until 1966. In 1967, Gil became the Assistant Principal in the Senior High and served in this position for three years. In 1971, he was named Head Principal of Blue Springs Junior High School and proved himself an innovative teacher noted for the educational expertise, compassion and deep concern for the young people of the Blue Springs community. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Georgeff was involved in numerous teachers' and principals' organizations, community organizations, and the First United Methodist Church. A devoted family man and community leader, Gil was instrumental in the formation of the Blue Springs Little League, the building of the Blue Springs Junior High School Stadium and the Blue Springs pool-plex. His leadership, dedication and perseverance were a sustaining positive influence during the rebuilding of the Blue Springs Junior High School after a fire in 1980. In 1974, he was the recipient of the Themis Award from the Jackson County Bar Association as one who lives up to the spirit of the law and is dedicated to its principles. Because of his innumerable contributions made to education and the Blue Springs community, the R-IV School District honored him in October 1987 by officially renaming the Blue Springs Junior High School to the Georgeff-Baker Building in his and his colleague Annetta Baker's honor. It was a tribute to a humble man's unflagging energy, dedication and devotion to duty that had the art of inspiring others to give nothing but their best because he himself had given nothing less. Mr. Georgeff is survived by his daughter Robin Georgeff of Scottsdale, AZ., his son Gib Georgeff and his wife Renee, of Grapevine, TX. He also leaves behind 4 grandchildren, Natasha Rae Georgeff of Fort Worth, TX., Alexis Ann Georgeff and her husband Andrew Chatting -currently of Sri Lanka, Vanessa Lyn Georgeff of Grapevine, TX and Derek Philip LeGault of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by his sisters Venka Georgeff Ambuel of Granite City, IL, Dilba Georgeff Dochnal of Covington, IN and his brother Edward Georgeff of Canton, IL. Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe, Missouri. Family and friends of Mr. Georgeff are encouraged to meet and remember Gil Georgeff after the service from 3:30 PM until 5:00 PM at The Freshman Center in Blue Springs. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in Mr. Georgeff's memory to the Jeremy Bloom Foundation -Wish of a Lifetime (WOL) www.seniorwish.org and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindeyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.