Mr. Earl Clark Julo Jr.

EARL CLARK JULO JR. Earl Clark Julo Jr. was called home by our Lord on December 26, 2014, after an illness. He fought Crohn’s disease for much of his life, but always had the faith that he would improve. Earl was surrounded by family and friends in the last days of this part of his journey as he prepared to meet his God and continue the everlasting life with Him. Earl was considerably grateful for the life the Lord had blessed him with, a life he shared with so many truly amazing people. Earl was born on August 30th, 1933 in Kansas City, MO. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Earl C. Julo, Sr. and Edna Helen (Schultz) Julo. In 2009 Earl and LaWanda and family lost one of their Sons at 48 years of age, Joseph K. Julo, who was sheer joy to them and who was a fantastic person. On June 4th, 2011, a terribly sad day, Earl lost, to an extremely aggressive and fast moving cancer, his magnificent Wife, chosen life’s partner and best friend, LaWanda Lee Julo. Earl was never to be the same after he lost what he termed his wonderful angel sent to him by God, even though he was surrounded by a family who did everything possible to make his life as happy as possible after this loss. Earl was eternally grateful for the tremendous and unending support group which made it possible for him to continue on, even in constant grief. Earl and LaWanda had often stressed in their later years that it took both of them to make one good person, and after the sudden loss of LaWanda, he believed he was only half of who he wanted to be, even though he was a man of great faith who always knew that at some time in the future he would rejoin the love of his life, LaWanda, and his Son Joe, as well as his parents, and the two loving Brothers he had also lost over the years, William D. Julo and Richard L. Julo & Sister-in-law Sybil Julo. Earl’s first Wife, a faithful follower of God, Beatrice G. (Generaux) Julo, also preceded him in death, a number of years ago. Earl leaves behind what he called ‘his remarkable family’ who, along with those he’d lost, was his constant pride and joy, including: Son, Gary Ray Winters (Debbie), Richmond, MO; Daughter, B.Kathleen Smith (Fred) of Lee’s Summit; Sons Earl D. Julo (Libby), Ridgefield, CT; Michael G. Julo (DeDe), Atchison, KS; Raymond J. Julo (Susan), Lee’s Summit; and Mark A. Julo (Amy), Olathe, KS; and, LaWanda’s and Earl’s twenty grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren; his consistently supportive Sisters, Gayle Keele (Ken), Kansas City; and Barbara Stuart (Mike), Kansas City; his three great Brothers, Phil Julo (Harriet), Kansas City; Jack Julo (Sheila), Raytown; and David Julo (Holly), Raytown; one truly caring Sister-In-Law, Pat Julo and his ‘other family’, that of LaWanda’s family which Earl always considered his own; Brother Gail Workman (Ruth), Eldon; two Sisters, Omega McDonald, Eldon; and Darlene Jeffries (Jerry), Eldon; many nephews, nieces and cousins as well as many great friends, including his Longview Chapel congregation of truly “always helpful, always caring, always there” friends; and the especially kind neighbors and special former neighbors, who were all so helpful to Earl after the sudden loss of his precious Wife LaWanda. He always said his fantastic family and extraordinary circle of friends made his coping possible, even if not easy. Earl wanted to be sure to pass along to his family and friends how grateful he was for their prayers, love and support, not only to him but to LaWanda and the entire family. Earl said after his loss that ‘no human being ever had or was worthy of a support group such as this, and even while missing my partner so much, this close family and our great family of friends help me to remember to thank God for everything, and especially for all the wonderful years we shared together ’. LaWanda and Earl always knew they would be Together Forever, and now they are. Thanks be to God. Earl was a graduate of Southwest High School in Kansas City, and he was forever proud of his service to his country as a United States Marine during the Korean conflict; his membership in the Korean War Veterans Association, his lifetime membership in the VFW and the American Legion. Upon his return from Korea (and Japan) in 1955, Earl worked for a number of years as a baker, and in 1970 graduated from the Electronic Computer Programmer’s Institute. Earl at one time worked for the City of Kansas City, MO at the downtown airport and at KCI. In 1974 Earl joined Golden Star Inc. in North Kansas City, MO as computer manager, and in his 36 plus years with that company he served as Vice President and Treasurer, and until his departure from this phase of his journey with God, he served on Golden Star’s Board Of Directors. Earl made special friends at Golden Star, and was appreciative of his time with J. Gary Gradinger, who has been a long-time friend to the Julo family. Earl enjoyed playing golf with family members even when he knew he was always the worst player, never playing the game until he was 65; senior softball, especially a trip to the Senior Olympics in Baton Rouge in 1971; and his time with a barbecue competition team for as long as he was still able to participate. Of course, LaWanda was always with him, as they truly enjoyed being together. Theirs was a partnership made in Heaven, Earl said, and they both enjoyed their years together tremendously. That life changed dramatically when LaWanda was lost, and now they will finally be together in eternity. Where one was, you would find the other. Their greatest joy in life, along with their faith, was entertaining their family, especially every holiday when there were at times up to as many as fifty people at their home. LaWanda was a fantastic cook, and Earl was at his best when he was serving as her helper with all the dishes they were famous for in the family. They made a great team, and they loved hosting their family and friends, always together in whatever they did. Thanks also are extended to their Pastor during their later years, Pastor Gary Blakeman, for all his compassion and wisdom. Both Earl and LaWanda were extremely grateful for Pastor Gary’s comfort during both their illnesses, and they never forgot his support as they worked to become better Christians and tried to serve as examples for others. Earl and LaWanda, along with the Julo family as a unit, were founding members, of Custard’s Last Stand, a favorite environment for many treat lovers. Thanks also go to all the loyal customers and Associates of Custard’s Last Stand, Direct Mop Sales Inc, and Golden Star Inc; to all those who supported Joe Julo’s foundation, Clubs For Kids in Atchison; and to special friends of LaWanda and Earl from LaWanda’s Sears days, among them especially a very dear friend, Delores Teegarden. Earl was also very grateful to Madeline Ryan for the hours she spent with LaWanda over the past years. Earl was extremely fond of these people who were so dear to LaWanda, and they both cherished their Longview Chapel circle of many truly amazing and compassionate friends, their great neighbors and former neighbors who helped to make their lives more complete. Earl and LaWanda’s family of faith will greet friends with a visitation, celebrating his life, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Longview Chapel, 850 SW Longview Road, Lee’s Summit, MO on December 30, 2014. A funeral service and celebration of Earl’s glorious time on earth will be conducted by Pastor Gary Blakeman at the Floral Hills Funeral Home at 7000 Blue Ridge Boulevard (Gregory Blvd. at Blue Ridge Blvd.), Kansas City, MO at 12 noon on December 31, 2014. Burial will follow the funeral service, burial at the Floral Hills East Memorial Gardens, 25203 East 50 Highway, in Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Condolences may be left at www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com. Arr. D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO, (816) 353-1218.