Judy Jean Kroulek

Judy Jean Kroulek was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1954 to her parents, Jeanne and John Houstrup. Her family moved to Signal Mountain, Tennessee in her youth where she attended Chattanooga High School and met her sweetheart, and ultimately her husband and life mate, William “Bill” Kroulek. They were married in 1976. She studied nursing at the University of Tennessee and made a career for herself in helping others. Together, Bill and Judy had three children, Orion, Sean, and Rhianna. Judy was known throughout the community for her huge heart and kindness- she took into her home and her heart so many children, always being there when she was needed.

She was an early and active member of the Society for Creative Anachronisms where she often served as medical staff during tourneys. She was a Scout leader, devoting her free time to teaching young people the values of kindness and service to others. She was first the camp nurse and later the director of Adahi Girl Scout Camp. Judy was the Site Manager at Chattanooga Research and Medicine (CHARM) and was a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and the Society for Clinical Research Sites. She was a member of the Quilting Club and was an avid seamstress and crafter. This year, she helped found and was the Chairperson of Cumberland Applied Research Associates, Inc., a consulting firm devoted to understanding and celebrating Chattanooga’s history and prehistory. She was also a devoted member of Grace United Methodist Church in Soddy Daisy where she was a Sunday School teacher as well as a member of the Ladies of Grace and served on the Outreach Committee. In all of these ways, her life touched so many others.

Judy is survived by her husband Bill, her brother, Jody (Teresa) Houstrup, her children Orion Kroulek, Sean Kroulek, and Rhianna (William) Westbrook, her niece Patricia Houstrup, her grandchildren, Caelyn, Duncan, and Ada Kroulek, William Westbrook, and another granddaughter by Rhianna who is yet to be born. We will all greatly miss her love, support, genuine kindness, and unflagging devotion to her family and community. The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Friday, December 20 at the Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel. Services will be Saturday, December 21 at 2 PM.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.