Julian Castro Molina, age 89, passed away on March 23, 2023 at his home in Dallas, Texas. Julian was born on November 30, 1933 in Laredo, Texas to Desiderio Castro and Francisca Molina. Julian was raised in Dallas by his mother and seven sisters.
He hung out at the railyard where he developed a taste for ripe bananas, and collected ice blocks for the family. Julian also developed a love of movies and once had to run home when he was frightened by a double feature of “Dracula” and Frankenstein.”
Julian attended Crozier Tech High School where he was a star baseball player and all-around athlete. It was on the baseball team where he met Ben Molina, who would become his lifelong friend and golfing buddy.
After high school, Julian found a job at the Kirsch Company, where he would work for more than 40 years. His first job with the company was sweeping out the warehouse, and one fateful day he met a beautiful young secretary named Emma Louise Hankins. They fell in love, and were married on January 14, 1956. Soon after, Julian was drafted into the army and sent to Germany to stare across the border at the soviets.
In his absence, his seven sisters and his mother took Emma into the family. Julian served as a medic, and after two years he attained what he considered the highest military achievement: civilian. He returned to his loving wife, took up golf and became a salesman with the company. He befriended a senior salesman named Robert Blankenship. Julian and Emma, and Bob and Hilda would be lifelong friends with a shared love of travel and beautiful interior design. In 1963, Julian and Emma’s first child Kelley Stephanie Molina was born. In 1974 they had a son, Kevin Desiderio Molina, and the family moved to 3711 Holliday Road in Dallas. That house would host many Christmases, Thanksgivings and Halloweens. Julian and Emma were founding members of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church. They attended every Cowboys game played at the Cotton Bowl, and their favorite player was “Dandy” Don Meredith.
Julian was a devoted father, husband, and friend. A disciplined man with a quick, but gentle sense of humor. He was a devout Catholic who loved God and attended mass every Sunday. Julian was a good who man always did what was best for his family. He loved Emma and she was the light of his life until his granddaughter, Eve Cheryce Duck, was born. After her birth, Julian’s life had two lights. Julian spent his retirement playing golf and marshalling at Steven’s Golf Course in Oak Cliff, traveling to Austin to eat barbecue with his son, and delivering pan dulce to his sister.
Julian was predeceased by Emma, Kelley, and his sisters. They are reunited now. He is survived by his son and granddaughter.
A visitation for Julian will be held Monday, April 3, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home and Crematory, 3050 N STEMMONS FWY, DALLAS, TX 75247. A rosary will occur Monday, April 3, 2023 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, 3050 N STEMMONS FWY, DALLAS, TX 75247. A mass of christian burial will occur Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 4015 S Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 75224. An interment will occur Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneralsdallas.com for the Molina family.
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