Julian Joyce

Julian Joyce makes his transition

by Ann Ulrich

A great man, who influenced many people with not only his writings but his presence, left this earth plane on the morning of Jan. 21. Julian Joyce was born Aug. 21, 1911 in Fredonia, Kan., to Wilbur and Josie Wells Joyce. He grew up in Kansas, Missouri, Washington state, and Denver, Colo., where he attended college at Colorado School of Mines. He worked for the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., first with the Housing Authority and later with the Atomic Energy Commission. He served in the Coast Guard during World War II.

In 1965, he retired and moved to Stucker Mesa, just outside of Paonia, Colo. Because of the tranquil surroundings of the mountains, Julian found the right setting in which to write his book, Translation, the Story of St. John in New Testament Times, published in 1974. He researched the life of John a full 10 years. From Stucker Mesa Julian wrote other books as well: Spiritual Renaissance of the New World, Cosmic Law, Thought, Sunrise, Cause, and two pamphlets, Lifted Up and Into the Shekinah. His final tome was written in 1998 about his life and contains many photographs and illustrations. The book, An Empath, is available to anyone who would like a copy for $6.00 to cover shipping and handling. His other books are available through Earth Star at discount prices.

From the time I met Julian in 1984, he has had an influence on my life. He was at the Laramie, Wyo., UFO conference in July 1984, which is where I met him briefly. Later, after I had moved back to western Colorado, I became reacquainted with Julian through UFO meetings that I held for contactees. When The Star Beacon came into being in 1987, Julian began writing articles for me. He was somewhat of a father-figure to me.

In 1994, Ethan and I moved onto Julian's property on Stucker Mesa, where we have lived ever since. This enabled us to be near him as he continued to grow older and began to depend on someone to help him out now and then. After he suffered a mild stroke in November 1994, he maintained his independence as much as he could, up until the final two months.

Bernie Gallenbeck was Julian's lady friend for many years. They went dancing together, swimming, even to England and Scotland one year. He also was a close friend to Aurora Burnell, with whom he went to Egypt in March 1994. Both women meant a lot to Julian. He had many friends and had been active volunteering at the Paonia Senior Center.

In December, Julian contracted pneumonia and was hospitalized. After a brief stay in the nursing home, he returned home but required care, which we provided for three weeks until a live-in nurse was hired. By mid-January his condition had grown worse and we finally called the ambulance on the afternoon of Jan. 20. Julian spent his last night in the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colo. His memorial service was held Jan. 24 in Paonia, attended by his friends in the area. His body was cremated after three days and his ashes will be buried on the property that he loved so much.

He is survived by two daughters: Judy Galloway of Longview, Texas; Mary Martha Joyce of Santa Clara, Calif.; a sister, Charlotte Carter of McMinnville, Ore., and two grandchildren.

Check out the Book Gallery to read about Julian's books.

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