4 years ago

Julian LeRoy Putnam
1932 - 2020

Julian LeRoy Putnam died on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 18 days.

Memorial services will be at the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 at 4 p.m. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Director, located at 2800 Paramount Blvd. in Amarillo.

Julian was born on Nov. 21, 1932 in Guymon, Okla. and grew up in Dalhart, where he graduated from High School. He was active in the Army National Guard from 1951 until 1987 when he retired receiving an honorable discharge.

He married Betty Lee Blackwell on May 17, 1952 and they lived in Happy. Their first child was born in Canyon. They then relocated to Dalhart where their other two children were born. He worked as a mechanic at Scott Motor Company until starting work at the Pantex Plant on Nov. 29, 1965. He continued with mechanic work even after starting at Pantex, working part time at Metcalf Motor Company in Panhandle. He served as a Lay Minister in the Methodist Church for several years, traveling and filling in when called upon. He retired from Pantex on April 18, 1997. At his retirement celebration, several commented on how Julian encouraged them to apply for promotions and to dream bigger dreams for themselves.

He was a member of the Aldersgate Sunday school class at Kingswood United Methodist Church until the church closed at the end of 2019. During the years he was able, he best served at Kingswood by volunteering to make repairs where needed around the building. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who worked hard to provide for his family. He will be best remembered for his sweet, kind spirit and how he was an encourager to everyone around him.

Julian is preceded in death by his wife Betty Putnam; his parents, Pearl and Roach Putnam; and three brothers Richard, Ivan and Tommy Putnam.

He is survived by his sister, Noreen Bales of Carrollton, Texas; his children, Judy and husband Karl Smith of Amarillo, Douglas Putnam and wife Pam of Plainview and Tamera and husband Danny Kingham of Weston, Colo. He is also survived by five grandsons, Brandon Smith and wife Kelly, Heath Kingham and wife Tayler, Quentin Kingham and wife Kim, Matthew Putnam and Joshua Putnam; and twelve great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to The Craig Chapel Fund. Donations can be sent to The Craig, 5500 W. 9th Amarillo, TX 79106. Please mark the donation in memory of Julian Putnam.