06/15/2026
Charles Preston Julian
May 12, 1943 - June 13, 2026
Charles Preston Julian, of Tontitown, AR, lovingly known as "Pa" to his family, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, at the age of 83. While his passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of those who loved him, his legacy lives on through the countless memories, lessons, adventures, and laughter he shared throughout his remarkable life.
Charlie was born on May 12, 1943, to Jack Willis Julian and Dorothy Anna White, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alana Julian; his brothers, Keith Julian and Sharon of Lockwood, MO, Edward Julian of Ravenna,OH, and Frances Lawrence and husband Donnie of Old Hickory, TN; his stepchildren, Nathan Clark and Olivia Wilson; and the memory of his late stepdaughter, Collette Clark.
He was a proud grandfather to Ashlee Rivera and Junior, Darian Triplett and Austin, Isabelle Clark, Nolan Sparkman, Abigail Smith, Audrey Helm and Zach, Allison Smith, Logan Sparkman, Macy McClurkin, and Mason Clark. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren Evan Rivera, Luka Rivera, Emilia Triplett, Nylah McClurkin, Asher Helm, and Ivy Williams, all of whom brought him tremendous joy.
Charlie was a man who never met a problem he couldn't solve. His philosophy was simple: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it. If it is broken, I can fix it." He possessed an extraordinary ability to build, repair, and invent just about anything. To his family, there was no project too complicated and no challenge too great for Pa.
His grandchildren especially benefited from his creativity and imagination. One of his most beloved creations was a wooden horse named "Katie" that he attached to the back of a four-wheeler so the grandchildren could ride safely around the farm. As the family grew, he simply built additional seating so more children could join the adventure. If the kids wanted to camp in the backyard, Pa already had the tent assembled and the campfire burning. If they wanted to ride around the farm, the four-wheeler was waiting at the house within minutes. He made childhood magical.
During the summer of 2005, Charlie and his granddaughter Ashlee spent an entire summer building a treehouse together. It wasn't just any treehouse—it had a television, an air conditioner, and a cot where the grandchildren could spend the night. Most importantly, he invited each grandchild to paint part of the walls, ensuring every child left their own mark on a place filled with love. That treehouse became a symbol of who Charlie was: thoughtful, hardworking, creative, and deeply devoted to his family.
Charlie loved the outdoors and embraced every opportunity for adventure. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, sledding, and exploring nature with his family. He made annual hunting and fishing trips with friends including Don Hunt, Randy Lee, Larry Delozier, and Mick Wagner to destinations throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, creating memories and friendships that lasted a lifetime.
His adventurous spirit carried him around the world. During his many years working for Pfizer, he traveled extensively and experienced places most only dream of seeing. Yet some of his favorite destinations were the places he returned to year after year—spending a month camping in Arizona with his wife and beloved dog, Yewgly, and traveling to Alaska in search of gold. Gold fascinated Charlie. He proudly wore a gold necklace and delighted in showing it to each of his great-grandchildren, repeatedly saying "Gold!" in hopes it would become their first word. Despite his best efforts, none of them ever quite cooperated.
He also shared many adventures with his beloved mule, Ginger, who accompanied him on hiking trips and carried him along trails through the Grand Canyon. Whether exploring wilderness trails, panning for gold, hunting in the mountains, or fishing with friends, Charlie embraced life with enthusiasm and gratitude.
Charlie proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a dedicated member of the Masonic fraternity. He recently received a 50 year pin from the Masons. Throughout his life, he exemplified the values of hard work, service, integrity, and self-reliance.
Though he was known for his low adventures, Charlie’s greatest joy was always his family. He was the person everyone turned to for advice, guidance, and support. He loved discussing money, investing, and life lessons, and he never hesitated to share wisdom gained through decades of experience. He was dependable, thoughtful, and always willing to help.
He was also a jokester at heart. Charlie loved making people laugh, teasing the kids, and finding humor in everyday life. He never took himself too seriously and had a gift for making others feel valued and loved.
Despite all the places he traveled and all the adventures he experienced, Charlie’s favorite place was home. He found peace tinkering in his barn, working in his office, caring for his property, and spending time outdoors. He never stopped working, never stopped learning, and never stopped caring for those around him.
To know Charlie was to know strength, wisdom, generosity, and unconditional love. He was the rock of his family, a mentor, a protector, an adventurer, and a friend. His was a life well-lived and a life worth celebrating.
While he will be deeply missed, his family takes comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in every lesson he taught, every story he shared, every adventure he inspired, and every life he touched.
Visitation
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
at 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Westfield Chapel Funeral Home
3236 W. Huntsville Ave.
Springdale, AR 72762
Service
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
at 11:00AM
Westfield Chapel Funeral Home
3236 W. Huntsville Ave.
Springdale, AR 72762
Final Resting Place
Stuckey Cemetery
4371 Johnson Mill Blvd
Johnson, AR 72762
Condolences can be sent to Charles's family at the link below.
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