Roll Call Tribute

Published in) Gettysburg (PA) Times (on) Dec 14, 2017

Chester Roy Julian

Chester Roy Julian, age 80 and Texas native, was surrounded by family as he peacefully went to be with his Lord the morning of Dec. 11, 2017, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Poteet, Texas on Oct. 4, 1937, the first born son of his parents, Phoebe Adeline (Patton) and William Julian.

Roy spent his elementary and high school years living in many unique places - his father worked for the railroad. Growing up, Roy lived in Alaska, Washington state, Canada, Anchorage, and Honduras. He enjoyed taking part in sports, including football and softball, and was naturally gifted at math. In 1956, he graduated from Anchorage High School with high marks.

Roy is survived by his daughter Melissa Bishop and her husband Larry and their children Cody and Courtney of Fairfield; his son Robert Julian and his wife Kimberly and their children Robert and Henry of Peachtree City, Ga.; his son Patrick Julian and his wife Kerri and their children Kate and Colin of Alexandria ,Va.; and countless friends and relatives. He is predeceased by his parents Phoebe and William Julian, and his sister Annette Frye.

Family was always the cornerstone of Roy's life, and his family adored him. He is the proud father of Robert, Patrick and Melissa and the grandfather of Cody, Courtney, Robbie, Henry, Caitlin and Colin. He loved them all dearly and was a true patriarch, showing through example how to live a virtuous life full of generous acts. His gentle guidance will be remembered forever. His family and their friends will be always thankful for the helping hand and words of wisdom he gave countless times - his door was always open. A true Texas gentleman like Roy never forgot family - he moved to Texas from D.C. after retirement to care for his sweet elderly mother for seven years until her death. During those years, he frequently traveled out of state to visit his kids and grandkids to stay close to them. Wanting to be near his kids and grandkids again, Roy had recently moved to Fairfield, to live with his daughter and her family.

A strong faith helped shape the giving, loving person everyone knew Roy to be. He accepted Jesus as Savior in his youth in South Texas (Weslaco) and was baptized in Crockett Missionary Baptist Church in Texas (dipped). He was always a member of and supported his local church, including Georgetown Presbyterian Church and Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church. Roy loved reading scriptures at LMCPC services as a lay reader. At his children's church weddings he read scripture, bringing his joy of God's Word to his family and their friends.

Following high school, Roy attended the University of Alaska one year, then transferred to Texas A&M in 1960 (Go AGGIES!). He worked as a surveyor and inspector every summer to pay tuition, and graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1963. Roy served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves, reaching the rank of staff sergeant then moved to Washington, D.C. His love of engineering inspired him to receive his masters in Civil Engineering a few years later while he was working full time for the D.C. Highway Department. The work ethic and drive he had as a student continues to set an unsurpassed example for his grandchildren.

Roy had a very long and distinguished career in the U.S. Government. He enjoyed working as an engineer designing roads and planning highways for the Alaska Road Commission, U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, D.C. Highway Dept., Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Standards, Bureau of Public Roads, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, and the Federal Hwy. Administration. He also worked for the U.S. Veterans Administration and GSA. He was proud to have worked for several members of Congress, including serving as staff director for Dick Shoup of Montana. Roy retired at age 55.

Roy liked to regularly attend church and exercise at senior's classes. He was so thankful for the Fairfield Senior Exercise class not only for helping him stay fit, but for the friendship they gave him, and their caring cards. Reading library books was also a favorite past time (since childhood). He loved hanging out at the Fairfield Public Library and checking out new books the librarians got in quickly for him. Roy would want it noted that he always returned books quickly so that, as he would say with a laugh, they "wouldn't have the sheriff come arrest him." When he was not exercising or at the library, he enjoyed watching TV (sports and politics) when he wasn't visiting with family.

Thank you Chester Roy Julian for loving so generously and bringing light to the world.