Joe Dale Julian

Joe was born in Uhland, Texas to his parents Joe Foster Julian and Jesse Tennessee Tolbert. His early memories were as the son of sharecroppers. He recalled the hard labor of picking cotton, hunting squirrels for food, and the generally difficult times shared by all during the depression. He gained a great appreciation for good food and hard work that stayed with him the rest of his life.

Joe’s father left the family when Joe was 14. He, his sister, and his mother moved to Oklahoma City for better opportunities. He attended (Old) Classen High School, but left school to join the Army at the age of 17. He stated that his reason for joining the Army was to have “three squares a day” (referring to food). He spent the next three years in South Korea, and returned to Oklahoma City at the end of his commitment. On returning, he attended Oklahoma City University on the GI bill, and majored in accounting. His first job was with Kerr-McGee Oil Company, and he remained a loyal and devoted employee there his entire career. Although he started as an accountant, he rose through the ranks, served in many positions, and retired as Vice-President of Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation.

He remained a loyal son to both his mother and father until they passed away, always caring for them and providing whatever they needed.

In his later years, Joe was known as “Papa Joe” to family, friends and neighbors. He could often be heard singing old-time country western songs, and gospel songs while working in the yard and around the house. He loved Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and the like. When he was given an Alexa for Christmas one year, those are the artists he most often listened to.

In retirement Papa Joe loved working with his hands. For a while he raised chickens, rabbits, geese, and Lhasa Apsos. One Christmas he made all the grandchildren wooden rocking horses. Another time, he made horse tire swings for the them. He actively remodeled and repaired each of the homes he lived in.

Everyone in the family knew that Papa Joe could make, build, or fix just about anything, and he gladly shared his knowledge with his step-son Erich, his sons-in-laws, and later his grandchildren. He had an amazing collection of tools that he was willing to share, along with the instructions needed to use them properly. Papa Joe also absolutely LOVED flea markets and yard sales. He frequently roped Erich, various grandchildren, and later Giovanna, into accompanying him. If there was a particular item that one needed, he would find it, bargain the price down to almost free, and deliver it. He enjoyed the hunt and bargain above all else!

Papa Joe will most be remembered for his sense of humor. Even in the most difficult circumstances, he found something to laugh about. All his kids and grandkids remember some particularly funny story that he told or funny things that he said. One famous “Joe-ism” occurred when there was a discussion suggesting that money didn’t matter as much as relationships and family. His response was a very sincere, “I like money,” to which everyone laughed hilariously. Even the night before his death he was kidding around with the family.

Papa Joe met his devoted and loving wife, Giovanna, later in life, after both had lost their spouses. They met at a cancer survivors' group, fell in love, and had a wonderful 30+ years together. For many years they traveled far and wide, including Italy and China. They truly loved their homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Celebration, Florida, and created many happy memories both places.

Papa Joe never forgot where he came from. He frequently commented that he was grateful to have lived during a time he called “the golden years in America”, where a sharecropper's son could rise to VP of a multinational corporation, and a boy who didn’t have running water the first 14 years of his life, could have TWO beautiful homes in places that he loved. On his deathbed he again expressed his gratitude for the wonderful life he had lived, and said that he had “lived in the tall grass”. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Joe is survived by his wife Giovanna, his daughters Leslie Gay (David) Bernitsky, and Jeanne Matlock, his stepson Erich (Julia) Henry, son of his wife Barbara, and his stepchildren from Giovanna, Wanda Castelo, Mike (Cara) Teel, Chuck Teel (life partner Darla), and Steve Teel. His grandchildren include William (Maggie) Bernitsky, Alex (Caroline) Bernitsky, Laura (Alexander) Frees, Kirt Matlock, Lindsay

(Kevin) Teel, Shannon (Patrick) Erman, Stephen (Alex) Matlock, Danielle (Tyler) Gonzalez, Autumn (Dre) Rose, Brooks Rose, Bryce Henry, Reese Henry, Erica (Eric) Cush, Lee Castelo, Keegan Teel, Sienna Teel, Austin (Alex) Teel, and Lauren Teel. He has 11 great-grandchildren, and 3 more on the way!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Julian and Jesse Hansmeier, his stepfather Ed Hansmeier, his sister Billie Juanita Davis, his previous wife, Barbara, her daughter and Joe’s beloved stepdaughter Virginia (Ginny) Rose, his grandson Dustin Rose, and his son-in-law Mark Matlock.