George Julius Jr, 81, of Holland, Michigan, passed away November 22 at Holland Hospital.
George was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Agnes Murphy and George Julius on August 11, 1944. He grew up to become a standout athlete and was honored as an All-American in football and basketball while attending Montour High School. He briefly played football at University of Georgia, but after injury, he pivoted to study at Parsons College in Iowa and later earned his MBA degree at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
After getting his start at Pillsbury in Minneapolis, Minnesota, George spent most of career at Beverage America, former owner of the Squirt soda brand and bottlers of soft drinks including 7-UP and Dr. Pepper. He retired from Beverage America as COO in 1998. In partnership with his son Jason, he formed what is now Julius Lakeshore Capital and invested in companies like Comfort Research located in Grand Rapids, makers of Big Joe bean bags.
George was an avid sports fan with a special love for golf and football, especially the Chicago Bears. He enjoyed traveling and always looked forward to winter visits to his residence in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. He was passionate about advocacy and joined the Circle of Advisors for the Hope-Western Prison Education Program.
George is preceded in death by his sister Geraldine Miller of Pittsburgh, PA, and his beloved wife of 50 years, Terry. He is survived by their children, Heather Julius of Oakland, CA, and Jason Julius of Holland, their grandchild Greta Julius of Holland and his sister Judith Zalenski of Sewickley, PA, his nephew Edward (Carol) Miller of Los Angeles, CA, and by his niece Susan (Dave) Krymowski of Pittsburgh, PA, as well as brother-in-law Robert (Kate) Caliguiri of Washington, MI, and sisters-in-law Shelly (Billy) Geyer of Perkasie, PA, Camille (Mike) Brooks of Chalfont, PA, Mickey (Geary) Caliguiri of Lexington, KY, in addition to dear friends in the Holland, Grand Rapids, and Pebble Beach/Carmel, CA community.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation on Monday, December 1 from 4-6pm at Dykstra Funeral Home – Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave. Holland.
A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Parish on Tuesday, December 2, at 11 am with Father Michael Burt officiating. The mass will be followed by a luncheon in the church hall after the service. There will be no cemetery service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hope-Western Prison Education Program at https://hope.edu/offices/hope-western-prison-education-program/.
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