Julio G. Ceballos

Julio was born on October 28th, 1941 in Santa Marta, Colombia. He was the youngest of 8 children, son of Patricio and Prudencia Ceballos. Growing up in Santa Marta on the northern coast of Colombia, he loved to spend his time outdoors. Eventually the family left Santa Marta and settled in Barranquilla. Julio had to grow up fast in Colombia, only a child when he lost his father to a sudden accident. The entire family now had to pitch in and provide, including the youngest member of the family. He began working at an early age, and from that is where his unrelenting work ethic took root.

Still in Colombia in 1960 and at the age of 19 he met the love of his life, Beatriz. It was love at first sight, and Julio and Beatriz wed that same year. They went on to celebrate 60 great years of marriage together, and during that time had 3 beautiful children: two daughters, Lelys and Jenny, and one son, Julio Jr.

Julio was a force of nature; he was determined to provide for his family and give them a better life then his own, a life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned. With that determination in mind he knew he needed to immigrate to the United States for that opportunity. With a little help from his uncle and a hundred bucks in his pocket, he made his way to the United States landing in New York City. Even though it was hard to leave his wife and family behind it was the biggest opportunity of his life. He worked many jobs at first in New York and eventually raised enough money to reunite with his wife and kids, and they began their new life in America. From there they moved and settled in Florida, where he had an amazing 37-year career at Orlando Regional Medical Center, the largest hospital in Central Florida. As the lead mechanical engineer for the hospital his role and duty day in and day out was to ensure that everything was working flawlessly to help save lives and maintain the care needed at the hospital for it's patients. He is the epitome of someone who lived the American Dream, an immigrant looking to make a better life for himself and his family. He can be proud that he accomplished that dream and passed that down to his kid’s and grandchildren.

Julio loved the outdoors, he was passionate about gardening and tending to his many plants and trees he cultivated over the years. He spent a lot of time in his garage, loved to work with his hands, fixing and tinkering with anything mechanical, and his tool collection was second to none. Growing up he loved “futbol”, better known here as “soccer’, an avid player in his day as a youth and even later as an adult. Always a fan watching games on T.V. with his family and friends, the Colombian National team was his favorite of course. As his son I have many fond memories of watching games with him, experiencing his over enthusiastic celebrations and relentless support, something I inherited for sure. He enjoyed bowling, golf, listening and dancing to music, and simply spending time with family and friends. He was always there to help others at a moment’s notice and asking for nothing in return. He was a charmer, always joked around with family and friends, he loved life.

Anyone who knew Julio knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. Julio was a hard worker who gave his family everything.

Julio is survived by his wife Beatriz Ceballos, his children, Lelys Emerson, Jenny Joiner, Julio Ceballos, and Raymond Shrum. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Cory and Shelby Emerson, Kody, and Kyle Joiner, Allexa, Connor and Cooper Ceballos.

A Visitation will take place at Wells Memorial Funeral Home, 1903 W. Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida on Saturday, July 17th at 1:00 p.m. and will be followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m.

The family requests that in leu of flowers that you donate in his name to either the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital ([email protected]) or to the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Organization ([email protected].)