Julius G. Aguilera, Sr., was called home to be with the Lord on July 27, 2026, at the age of 97. He was born on April 12, 1929, in Lyons, Kansas, the son of Ramon Rodriguez and Marie (Gutierrez) Aguilera.
He grew up in Lyons, Kansas, working in the summers of 1943-45 as a dock worker at the salt plant.
On June 28, 1946, at the age of 17, Julius enlisted into the U.S. Navy, with his father's written consent. He served in the Pacific Theater on the U.S.S. Benevolence Hospital Ship from 1946-48 as a Seaman First Class during WWII. He was honorably discharged on April 28, 1948.
Shortly after his Navy discharge the family moved to Wichita, Kansas. He met Beatrice Gallardo from Howard, Kansas, while she was visiting Wichita. They eventually married on December 31, 1949, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Wichita. They were married for 64 years, until her passing. After the church closed, they became parishioners of All Saints Catholic Church. Julius was dedicated to his weekly adoration until his health prevented his participation, but continued his daily prayer meditation.
Julius worked at Cudahy Meat Packing for 25 plus years as a butcher. While working full-time he fulfilled a personal goal for himself with going to night school to obtain his GED to complete his education beyond his 9th grade class. After Cudahy closed, Julius started his career as a Machinist at Beech Aircraft, where he worked for 19 years, until his retirement.
He was an all-around handyman who taught himself carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. He generously used these skills to help family members whenever they were needed. In the 1950s, he helped Beatrice's parents in Howard, Kansas, modernize their boxcar home by bringing water from an outside hand pump into the house through indoor plumbing. He also worked with the local electric company to have power lines installed, bringing electricity to the home for the first time. Later, in Moline, Kansas, he helped Aunt and Uncle Galvan by creating a doorway between two section houses, joining them into a larger, more functional home for their growing family.
Survivors include his children, Angelina (Steven) Lane of Wichita, Irene Perez of Andover, Rita Aguilera Vaughn of Tennessee, Julius Aguilera, Jr. of Wichita, Linda (Keith) Schmidt of Andover; 14 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Stella Aguilera of Goddard.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Gabriel, Ramon, and Anthony Aguilera; sisters, Carmen and Consuelo Aguilera; granddaughter, Tessa Doyle and great grandson, Kingston Aguilera; son-in-law, George Vaughn.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 10, 2026, at DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary, 201 South Hydraulic Street, Wichita. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 10:00 a.m. and a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., both Tuesday, August 11, at All Saints Catholic Church, 3205 East Grand Street, Wichita. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 610 South Vassar Street, Wichita, with U.S. Navy Honors.
Memorials have been established in Julius' name for the Kansas Veterans Home Memorial Fund, 1220 WWII Memorial Drive, Winfield, Kansas 67156 and Good Shepherd Hospice, 505 East 16th Street #1, Wellington, Kansas 67152.
