Gary Julian

Gary Julian, 73, of Mattawan passed away peacefully Monday, March 3rd, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born April 8th, 1951 in Hillsdale to Robert and Ercel Julian. Gary married Kathy on October 27th, 1978.

Growing up, Gary loved doing anything on the farm with his siblings, leg wrestling with his sister, and sledding down the hill into the pond water with his brother. He loved any sport, and was good at whatever he played. Becoming a dad was the highlight of his life. Gary called his family The Brady Bunch, and if he wasn’t coaching one of his kid’s sporting teams, he was officiating it.

He graduated from Pittsford high school in 1969, then went on to attend Hillsdale College where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. Gary ended up following in his families footsteps of becoming a police officer, starting as a Hudson City Police officer and ending at Western Michigan University as a deputy of Kalamazoo County. After many years of service, he retired to be a Grandpa to his 18 grandkids and 1 great-grandson.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Julian; four daughters: Angela (Michael) Russell, Krisstina (Steve) Julian of Mattawan, MI, Elizabeth (Nate) Penning of Schoolcraft, MI, and Brittany (Raymond) Pappas of Mattawan, MI; Two sons: Chan (Chris) Julian of Okeechobee, Florida, and Vernon (Jenny) Goss of Savannah, Georgia; 18 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson; sister Mary Jo (Don) Dunlap of Pittsford, MI, as well as his brother Larry (Nancy) Julian of Lennon, MI.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his son Shane Allan Julian and his brother Alan Claude Julian.

Gary was the best husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and friend anyone could have asked for. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

While visiting Gary’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand St. in Schoolcraft. 269 679-5622