Life-long Roan Mountain resident and community activist Durward Julian passed away Friday at the age of 100.
Julian dedicated his life to his large family and to serving the people of his community in a variety of ways.
He was a charter member of the Roan Mountain Citizens Club and also a charter member of Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church and a member of the International Gideons. Julian was also instrumental in founding the Highlander Marching Band at Cloudland High School as well as helping secure funding for Roan Mountain State Park, the construction of a paved road to the top of Roan Mountain at Carver’s Gap, and the Carter County Work Camp of the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
“He was such an important person for our community,” Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey said on Monday. “He impacted so many lives.”
“Many of the things he did helped all of Carter County, not just Roan Mountain,” Humphrey added. “We were so fortunate to have somebody of that caliber to spearhead those projects.”
In May 2016, Carter County honored Julian and his life of service by renaming a section of Old Highway 143 near his home as “Durward Julian Drive.” A special dedication ceremony was held to unveil the new street sign, and many members of the Roan Mountain community attended. Humphrey said the attendance at the event was a testament to Julian and the life he lived.
Carter County Commissioner Mike Hill represents the Roan Mountain District and serves as chairman of the Highway Committee, where the road renaming project to honor Julian began.
“I’m glad to have met him briefly and to have a tiny hand in helping honor him,” Hill said. “He was a phenomenal guy.”
“I’m tickled we got that road named after him, and he was able to enjoy that during his lifetime,” Hill added.
Hill noted Julian’s many contributions to Roan Mountain and Carter County as a whole. He said Julian provided an excellent life example for those who came after him.
“There really aren’t very many pillars of communities anymore, at least not of the caliber of Mr. Julian,” Hill said. “I just hope maybe I can contribute a tenth of what he was able to contribute through his service.”
“He was a man of Roan Mountain,” Hill added. “He will be missed.”