Paul Juliusson
PEORIA - Paul Donald Juliusson of Trophy Club, Texas, formerly of Peoria, was born July 18, 1932, and entered eternal life on Sunday, July 3, 2016, but his larger-than-life persona, great humor, huge heart and trademark feistiness will not be forgotten.
Those who knew him, were blessed to learn many valuable lessons that he acquired during his 83 years, among some of his most wise lessons: "Chapstick works on everything, if it ain't yours leave it alone, love your family cause they are forever...and that's a fact, Windex gets rid of pimples, and always keep good tires on your car." He always had a perfectly timed story to tell for almost every situation that came in life.
Paul Donald Juliusson, affectionately known as "Duck" by his family and friends, was a farmer by trade, a tremendous golfer and avid phrase guesser of Wheel of Fortune. Above all, he dearly loved his wife of 63 years, Harriet, and cherished his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always opinionated and (sometimes) short-tempered, Duck told it like it was, never holding back what his beliefs were or what he truly thought. He handed the best of his qualities down to his children: his son, David Don, and his daughters, Dianna June and Kathy Sue. But it didn't stop there, the Duck bloodline would grow even more within his grandchildren (if married, listed with their spouses because Duck was their Grandpa too): Candace and Galen Hanson, Shawn and Libby Lafferty, Carrie and Nick Braden, Nick and Crystal Lafferty, Derek and Cassie Juliusson, Sam Adams and Stacy and Aaron Harding. The epic story continues with his great-grandchildren, Alex, Christian, Mia and Gabby Lafferty, Cali and Drake Hanson, Avery, Aubrie and Alexa Braden, Sophia and Nicholas Jr. Lafferty, Ember Detrick and a new baby boy Juliusson that's due in August of this year! He is also survived by his big brother, Ben Juliusson of Peoria, Illinois; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Duck loved his family very much, but to not emphasize how much he loved his wife, Harriet, would be a terrible omission of the story of who Duck was. Married on May 31, 1953, Duck held Harriet's hand every night when they went to bed, told her every morning just how much he loved her and always made her smile (even when he beat her in cards!). Their marriage was a recipe that many of us can only hope to follow. It is a story that will be told time and time again and will live on through their big beautiful family and friends that knew the affection that they had for one another.
Shortly before Duck and Harriet married, he enlisted into the United States Navy. Duck took tremendous pride in the years he served in the Navy as an Engineman while onboard the USS Kankakee during the Korean War, and how much fun he had doing it. It's when he got out of the Navy when his true story started. Having less than $100 to his name, he took his young family back home to Cuba, Illinois, and became a farmer. It wasn't easy. But, like he always said, "If it was easy, everyone would do it, how many people do you know lined up to be farmers?" Despite the odds, Duck didn't let anything stop him from reaching his goals and quickly showed how hard work and determination can "get 'er done." Before too long, he and Harriet had acquired multiple farms and built a pretty darn good life for themselves and their children.
Duck was known for not holding back his opinion, his feistiness and knack for telling it like it is. He was highly proficient in four-letter words, but somehow never over used them. He was a connoisseur of Oreos and loved ice-cream. He loved his Swedish heritage and was very proud of his family. He always told you the truth, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear, but mostly because it's what you needed to hear. He often reminisced about his good friends, the good times that he and Harriet had in Cuba, Illinois, and Fulton County and loved telling stories of the past by starting it with the phrase, "Years and years ago... "
Duck's feistiness and stubbornness had served him well throughout his life (and that's a fact). Even in his last few days, he was a model of extreme will and sheer determination right up until the end of his journey here on earth. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, neighbors and many others who were blessed enough to know him.
A tremendous heartfelt thanks goes out to the ICU doctors and nurses at the Denton Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, who provided much more than just comfort for Duck, but also provided a sense of humor and peace and afforded his family the opportunity to better prepare themselves for his transition from this life into the next.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Juliusson; three brothers, Ray, Vic and John Juliusson; and two sisters, Jean Etter and Elise Martin.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life and graveside service will be announced, however, when you read this, feel free to do a mandatory shot, have a beer or a glass of wine and have a toast in Duck's honor, "to the greatest Husband, Dad and Grandad there ever was."
In lieu of flowers the family wishes any donations be made to the following organization: Cass-Putnam Rescue Squad, 516 East Jefferson, Cuba, IL 61427; or The Navy Seal Foundation, please visit the website at https://www.navysealfoundation.org or email [email protected] for any additional questions. We request you include in the tribute Information section, "In memory of Duck Juliusson," so we can keep track of who donated. A special thanks to all who have already reached out and sent their condolences.