Durward Julian

Published 4:48 pm Monday, February 20, 2017

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Durward Julian, 100, of Roan Mountain, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, February 17, 2017, from The Waters at Roan Highlands. He was born in Roan Mountain, a son of the late Vista Honeycutt Julian and James N. Julian Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Audrey Caraway Julian, on December 25, 2005; three brothers, Reginald Julian, Adrian Julian and James H. “Junior” Julian; a sister, Thelma Julian Romer; a granddaughter-in-law, Rhonda Lawson Julian; and his step-mother, Marianna Julian.
Mr. Julian lived in Roan Mountain his entire life, graduating from Cloudland High School in 1934. He married his wife, Audrey, on October 3, 1936 and they spent 69 happy years together before her death. He was a proud member of the Roan Mountain Community and contributed much, including helping to secure funding and support for the Roan Mountain State Park, the Carter County Work Camp and the construction of a paved road to the top of Roan Mountain. He was a charter member of the Roan Mountain Citizens Club and helped organize and host the Rhododendron Festival. He was also a charter member of the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He was a respected and beloved member of the community, which honored him by naming a portion of Old Highway 143 for him on the occasion of his 100th birthday in May of 2016. He was also named a Tennessee Colonel by Gov. Winfield Dunn. He was a member of the International Gideons and was the last charter member of Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he served faithfully in several capacities for many years, including as Clerk of the Session, an Elder, and as a teacher of the Adult Sunday School Class.
Mr. Julian was a former supervisor at NARC, and retired from a sales position at Headlight Overalls and also worked for Carhartt Clothing and Liberty Overalls. He loved to garden, read, and play horseshoes with the friends and family he enjoyed so much. He enjoyed traveling, especially the annual family beach trip, and visiting in the community. One of his greatest pleasures was reading his Bible.
Those left to cherish the memory of Mr. Julian include many members of his large and loving family; a daughter, Vista Clark, and her husband, Dicky, Elizabethton; three sons, Ronnie Julian, and his wife, Lynn, Kernersville, N.C., Larry Julian, and his wife, Kathy, Richmond, Va., and Lanny Julian, and his wife, Donna, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Brian Julian, and his wife, Hannah; Tim Julian, and his wife, Angie; Laura Simpson, and her husband, Bruce; Angie Shearer, and her husband, Jason; Wendi Julian Flaspohler; Krista Christy, and her husband, Dr. George Christy; Audra Nikki Greig, and her husband, John; Jilian Clark Reece, and her husband, Adam; and Jordan Clark; 27 great-grandchildren, Andrew Julian, and his wife, Charlotte; Caleb Julian; Hannah Grace Julian; Faith Julian; Deborah Julian; Seth Julian, Nathan Julian; Timothy Julian, and his wife, Lane; Matthew Julian; Will Simpson; Luke Simpson; Zachary Shearer; Johnathan Shearer; Wesley Conrad; Tanner Conrad, Georgia Christy; Will Christy; Andrew Christy; Sophia Christy; Jack Greig; Austin Greig; Ava Greig; Quinn Greig; Ty Greig; Carter Reece; Cole Reece; and Cash Reece. One great-great-grandson, Cooper Conrad; a brother, Paul Julian, Baltimore, Md.; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Durward Julian will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, in the Rhododendron Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, with Rev. Martin Christian officiating. The eulogy will be delivered by his granddaughter, Angie Julian Shearer. Music will be under the direction of Mrs. Charlotte Smith. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service, or at Mr. Julian’s home at other times. Interment will follow the funeral service at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Mr. Grayson Bledsoe, bagpiper, providing music. Active pallbearers will be his grandsons and older great-grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Roan Mountain Citizens Club, members of Gideons International, the staff and his many friends at The Waters at Roan Highlands, as well as the members of the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Gideons International, C/O Mike Lingerfelt, 609 East Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643; the Roan Mountain Branch of the Carter County Rescue Squad, 105 Iodent Way, Elizabethton, TN 37643; or the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 8478 US-19E, Roan Mountain, TN 37687. The family would like to express a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the staff of The Waters at Roan Highlands, Dr. Jerry Gastineau and Dr. Vivian Clark and their staffs for all the love, care and compassion given to Mr. Julian and his family. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Julian and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain. Office: (423) 772-3928. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.