Emanuel Blumenthal Geiger

z'l Emanuel Blumenthal Geiger

Emanuel Blumenthal Geiger, 80, a native of Alexandria, LA and resident of Houma, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 2:35 p.m. He was born Sept. 23, 1932.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013 at Dispersed of Judah Cemetery on North Anthony Street in New Orleans.

He is survived by two sons, Harold S. Geiger of University City, Mo. and Michael B. Geiger and wife, Deborah, of Rockville, Md.; one daughter, Melanie G. Pollack and husband, Dale, of Houston, Tx.; two grandchildren, Sonya Rachel Geiger and Heather Johanna Geiger of Rockville, Md.; one brother-in-law, Jerome I. Chapman and wife, Bunny, of Alexandria, Va.; one sister-in-law, Jeanell L. Geiger, of Metairie, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Selma Sue Chapman Geiger; parents, Henry Moses Geiger and Myrtle Blumenthal Geiger; brothers, Charles L. Geiger and Elis B. Geiger; and sister, Alberta Geiger Black.

He was the lay reader for Houma's Jewish community, Congregation Beth-El, for nearly 40 years. He was also a member of Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Metairie. He served as tri-chairman of the Houma chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He graduated from Terrebonne High School in 1948, and was among the first class at Nicholls State Junior College (now University), graduating in 1950.

He worked as a salesman for the Houma Bargain Store from 1948 to 1952, and in the credit department of Kirschman's Furniture in New Orleans from 1952 to 1955. In 1955, he began a 40-year career as self-employed owner of Universal Tailors, 318 E. Main St., Houma, later Universal Men's Wear, 606 & 611 E. Main St., Houma. He was chairman of the Downtown Merchants Association, and chairman of the retail division of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce. As president of the Houma-Terrebonne Junior Chamber of Commerce, he was a founder of the Krewe of Kajuns Mardi Gras parade. He was president and state chairman of the Louisiana Junior Miss Pageant Inc., and Houma hosted some of those state pageants. He was very active in the Masonic Lodge, becoming a Master Mason in 1961. He served as Worshipful Master of Unity Lodge #267, Houma, in 1966, and as secretary for 11 years. He was an honorary Past Master of Walter I. Lanier Lodge #307, Thibodaux. He served the Grand Lodge of Louisiana as District Deputy Grand Master and District Grand Lecturer, and was appointed Grand Representative to Israel. He served as president and later secretary of the 12th Masonic District Association.

In the Royal Arch Masons, he was High Priest of Brashear Chapter #82, and District Deputy Grand High Priest. He was Illustrious Master and secretary of Houma Council #49 Cryptic Masons, and Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Louisiana from 1999-2000. He also served as Grand Marshal and District Grand Lecturer.

He received the highest honor in Scottish Rite Freemasonry, the 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary, and was a Master and Orator, and Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.

He was a member of the Houma Shrine Club, and chaplain and secretary of the Jerusalem Temple Houma Clown unit, which paraded at Mardi Gras and other events. He was Worthy Patron of A. W. Connely Chapter #117, Order of the Eastern Star in Houma, chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Aubin Buquet Chapter of DeMolay, and received the Cross of Honor and Legion of Honor awards. He was a member of the Board of Advisors of Rainbow for Girls, Houma Assembly #57. He was a member of Houma Elks Lodge #1193, the Broadmoor Civic Association and P.T.A., and was elected chairman of the advisory council of the Terrebonne Council on Aging in 1999. He was chairman of the action committee of the Shady Oaks (later Shady Acres) Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 W. Esplanade, Metairie, LA 70002, or your favorite charity. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home in Metairie is in charge of arrangements.