McALESTER — The Julian family welcomes all friends, family and acquaintances as we celebrate Robert’s life at a memorial service to be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at First Baptist Church of Antlers, 208 NE “B” Street, Antlers, OK.  Visitation will be from 6pm to 7pm on Monday, February, 6, 2012, Mills Coffey Funeral Home, Antlers, OK.

Robert Newton Julian passed away from this life on February 3, 2012 after a brief illness.  He was born on August 2, 1932 to Tom and Inez Julian in Valliant, Oklahoma.  He was a long-time resident of Antlers, Oklahoma and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Antlers, Oklahoma.

He graduated from Valliant High School in 1950 and briefly attended Eastern Oklahoma State Agricultural and Mechanical College before returning home to assist on the family farm.  After serving for two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Robert owned and operated Julian Dairy.  He was also in advertising sales for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Dallas, Texas.  He returned to Valliant and purchased Slim’s Grocery which he expanded, and operated as Julian Supermarket.  He later built Julian Manufacturing Company producing thousands of craft paper tubes daily.  In 1975 he built Julian Lumber Company, headquartered outside of Rattan, OK, which has grown to become one of the largest employers in Pushmataha County.

Julian actively engaged in his community, though never sought attention or praise.  He served as President of the Valliant Industrial Foundation, which was instrumental in bringing the Weyerhaeuser Company to Valliant.   During his six years on the Valliant School Board, of which he served as President, he was instrumental in improving his alma mater.  Robert also served on the Boards of Directors of both the McCurtain County Hospital and the Pushmataha County Hospital.  He continued to represent the wood industry for over two decades in Washington, D.C. as a member of the Treated Wood Council.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kaye, of the home and children:  Dr. Jan Julian of Garland, Texas, Greg (Joe) Julian of Los Angeles, CA, David Porter of Bellevue, WA, Derek and Gina Porter of Antlers, OK.  Grandchildren are Taylor Porter, Kelli Porter, Anna Swisher, Nicklaus Porter, and Macy Porter

He is also survived by his mother, Inez Julian, Valliant, Oklahoma and mother-in-law, Eva Brooks of Antlers, Oklahoma.  Extended family includes: brother, Phillip Julian, Valliant, Oklahoma; sisters, Alta (C.L.) Smith, Valliant, Oklahoma,  Erma(Wade) Fowler, Valliant, Oklahoma  and  Ruth Thompson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; aunt, Eleanor Thomas, Broken Bow, Oklahoma; Mary Singleton Julian, mother of Jan and Greg, Holly Creek, Oklahoma; John (Karen) Brooks, Wichita, Kansas; Janna (Richard) Hill; Kim (Gary) Whittle, Houston, TX.  He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many cherished friends.  He will be happy to reunite with his father, Tom, who preceded him in death, and with whom he was extraordinarily close.

To honor Robert’s desire that each young person should have the opportunity to attend college, the family has established a memorial fund entitled “The Robert N. Julian Scholarship Fund” at FirstBank of Antlers, Oklahoma to benefit future college attendees.

Robert Julian transitioned from this life in character with how he had lived it; without fear and looking always forward to the next adventure.