Julius Charles Rist

Julius, affectionately known as Jules, was born in Doylestown, PA on March 1, 1935, to Louise and Karl Rist, a gracious gift to German immigrants after the passing of their first-born son. Four siblings followed.

After serving in multiple roles, including President, Mission Representative, Editor, and Point Guard of his basketball team, Jules, also known as the "unofficial guidance counselor" of Landsdale Catholic High School, graduated in 1953. He married his high school sweetheart, Florentina Rank, on June 25, 1955. Three years later, he was accepted into the US Naval Reserve. During these years, Jules worked for the Wanamaker Department Store and through the witness of three colleagues, believed in Jesus and followed Him faithfully for the rest of his life.

Soon after his salvation, Jules and his family moved to Hickory, NC where he worked for the Sherrill Furniture Company. He and Flossie were delighted when their family grew to five with the births of Kristina, Mark, and Jennifer. With great sorrow, Jules deeply grieved losing Flossie after she passed away from Allport's disease in 1966.

Returning to Doylestown, Jules worked for his father and with his brother, Carl, in the family furniture business. Serving as an elder at Mechanicsville Chapel and teaching Sunday School, Jules was introduced to Marjorie Lobb by church friends. They joyfully married on November 16, 1968, bore two daughters, Heidi and Emily, and raised them together with Tina, Mark, and Jennifer.

In 1972, the family moved to Virginia where Jules opened his first furniture store in Leesburg. Two more retail shops were added in different locations until he decided to close them and open a showroom in the Washington DC Design Center. Jules excelled in business, impacting many people through his kind, professional interactions. Jules also served as an elder at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church, leading with wisdom, teaching God’s Word, and pointing people to Christ.

In the early 1990’s, Jules and Marjorie moved to North Carolina where he ran his furniture plant, The Rist Corporation. Jules’s passion for the Lord gained further expression as he and Marjorie helped begin Sovereign Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church (OPC) in their living room. Jules continued serving as an elder, teaching Sunday School, and leading a midweek Bible study, often teaching on the book of John or on The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Jules’s love for Jesus, His Word, and His people was reflected in his gentle, compassionate, and humble demeanor and manifested through his devotion to teaching, occasional preaching, counsel, discipleship, and tender care of people. He believed in encouraging others daily and is remembered for his urging to be "noble Bereans" who search God's Word for truth. Jules was known for his focused attention when listening to individuals, to the Holy Spirit, and in response, speaking words that pertained to the circumstances they were experiencing. He longed for those who didn't know the Lord to believe in Him and prayed diligently for the persecuted church as well as for his family, friends, and various and all situations. Jules prayed all the time.

A multifaceted man, Jules was both contemplative and full of fun. His eyes were merry, warm, and kind, causing others to feel at home. He loved learning about distant lands and the people who lived there although he wasn't fond of travel. He valued hard work and tidiness, sweeping the sidewalk, cleaning up his yard, and growing a garden in his early years. He took delight in fresh flowers and anything of beauty. A pianist, he leaned toward classical music, especially Handel's Messiah, in part due to his hearing loss. After his furniture plant burned down, a poem he'd written praising His heavenly Father was found inscribed on the plant's railing. In his twenties, he owned acreage in northern PA and even at the end of his life, dreamed of purchasing land in the Canaan Valley. Fond of vino and a hearty meal, Jules feasted with his family, old and new friends around a table lengthened to include all those invited. Soul-enriching conversations punctuated with laughter were regular features on Sunday afternoons, followed by a nap after meals. His humor could be called quirky. A voracious reader, Jules particularly loved history about Germany and World War II.

Jules loved people, and he was loved by many. As a devoted husband, beloved father, wise leader, exceptional businessman, and more, he spent his life caring for others and “listening with his soul.” He shared Scripture with those he encountered in everyday life, and eternity will reveal the extent of those he reached for Christ. Jules lived in intimate relationship with the Lord, leaving a legacy of lives touched by his Christlike character. Soli Deo Gloria.

Family remaining to savor his memory are his children, Robbin McCuen (Michele, deceased) of AZ, Kristina DeHaas (David) of Hickory, NC, Timothy McCuen (Diane, deceased) of MD, Mark Rist (Phoebe) of VA, Carole Hubing (Alan) of PA, Jennifer Grise (Clay) of NC, Heidi Rist of NC, Emily Wickham (Mark) of NC; sister, Sonia Swartley (Jim) of PA, brother, Kurt of PA; 24 grandchildren and a growing number of great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Oakwood Cemetery in Hickory with Dr. Steve Scott officiating.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 13, 2024, prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory.

The family welcomes friends to join them after the service for fellowship, food, and shared memories at Sovereign Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church in Hickory from 4:00-6:30 p.m.