Career
John G. Geier, III was born in Michigan to John George Geier, Junior. (1900–1967) and Irene East. Bock (1911–1978). John III"s father was of Volga-German extraction (born in Huck, Saratov, Volga, Russia), and Irene was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
John III"s paternal grandparents were John George Geier, Senior
(1871–1936) and Katherine Elizabeth Zitterkopf (1867–1948), both of whom were born in Huck, Saratov, Volga, Russia. John III was a bright student, who worked his way through college by assisting his father on painting jobs.
John III"s father was taught the painting trade by a fellow Volga-German.