Jesse S. “Steve” Julian, Sr.

Jesse Stephens \"Steve\" Julian, Sr., 82, of Lynchburg, died Friday, February 4, 2011.  He was the husband of the late Nancy Leigh White Julian for over 53 years.

Mr. Julian was born Wednesday, July 11, 1928, in Greensboro, NC, a son of the late Harry Gordon Julian, Sr., and Jessie Stephens Julian.  He graduated from Greensboro High School, Greensboro, NC, Oak Ridge Military Institute, Oak Ridge, NC, and attended Guilford College, Greensboro, NC.  He proudly served our country in the U.S. Naval Reserve a total of eight years and during the Korean Conflict he was on active duty with Air Transport Squadron One stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD.

He began his business career with Commercial Credit Corporation, Greensboro, NC, where he was employed for 10 years where he held many Division Level positions and became manager of their Lumberton, NC, office.  His banking career began when he joined First National Trust and Savings Bank in Lynchburg, VA, in 1959, where he was instrumental in expanding their Consumer Lending Department.  During his career he was active in the introduction of the many changes that took place in the banking industry.  With the advent of Bank Mergers, he was active in the establishment of United Virginia Bank, one of Virginia\"™s first large Banking Institutions.  In time United Virginia Bank was renamed Crestar Bank due to its expansion into other areas.  It was later merged with SunTrust Bank.  He retired as the Senior Lending Officer in the Retail Section of Crestar Bank in 1987 after over 28 years of service ending a distinguished career in the Banking and Consumer Credit Industry.

After his retirement he pursued a hobby of Sports Car Racing along with the collecting and rebuilding of classic and antique cars.  He was an active member of many Civic Organizations.  He held many offices prior to retirement.  He was Past Master of Hill City Masonic Lodge #183 AF & AM, Lynchburg, VA.  His Masonic career included being a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite and a Shriner.

His delight in life was his love of his children, grandchildren and his many friends.  One of his avocations was his involvement in youth Sports Programs and he was a founding member of the Timbrook Youth League, acting as Coach and then President for many years.  He was an active supporter of Brookville High School as a member of the Booster Club.  His involvements with these programs lead him to many pleasant experiences and memories.  He was a longtime active member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his children, Dr. J. Stephens Julian, Jr., MD, and wife, Sharan Royal Julian, Carrollton, VA, and Teresa Leigh Julian-Yates and husband, Carl R. Yates, Lynchburg, VA; two grandchildren, Tyler Elizabeth Julian and Julian Russell Yates; a sister-in-law, Louise Frye Julian, Greensboro, NC, nieces and nephews, Linda Julian Little and husband, Charles Little, Greensboro, NC, H. Gordon Julian, III, and wife, Nova Julian, Greensboro, NC, Pam White Falls and husband, Wayne Falls, McCleansville, NC, and Thomas Joseph White, Climax, NC; and many great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Gordon Julian, Jr., a brother-in-law, Thomas Franklin White, Jr., and a sister-in-law, Josephine Tew White.

A celebration of Steve's life will be conducted at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hill City Lodge #183 AF & AM, 214 Lemon Drive, Lynchburg, VA, 24501; or Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, 4660 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA, 24502; or a charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.