Celebration of a Life well lived

Honoring  the  Life

Of

Julian Maxwell Syphax

Julian Maxwell Syphax, was the youngest son of five children of the late William S. and Jessie T. Syphax. Julian was born in Arlington, VA in 1926 and later moved to Ithaca, NY in 1928. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where at an early age he accepted Christ as his personal savior.  He sang in the Calvary youth choir and was a member of  a quartet along with  his brother Archie. Julian was an athlete who played Basketball and Baseball and was an active member of the Knights of Endeavor (TKE's) a social club he formed with his brother Archie and other childhood friends.

He was educated in the Ithaca Public Schools, and upon graduation enlisted  in the navy in 1944. Julian was a WWII, navy veteran who served in Okinawa Japan during the Pacific Theater. He received an honorable discharge in 1946.

Upon his return from the navy, Julian attended Saint Paul College  (Lawrenceville, VA), for two years before returning home to Ithaca, NY.  Shortly thereafter, Julian returned to Arlington,VA, and was hired on January 4, 1951, as one of the first black paid firefighters at the historic Fire Station 8, in  (Halls Hill), Arlington County Virginia (he retired in 1974).

Upon Julian's return to Arlington he also met and married Betty Ann Hicks (deceased) and from that union they had five children. Gary, Gail, Judy (deceased), Kevin (deceased) and Brian. Julian often said he was grateful to Arlington  County for opening their doors to integration, long before federal funding did it. He said,  his love for Arlington went beyond  the 23 years he spent at Fire Station 8, it was a brotherhood with a group of courageous and dedicated firefighters. Julian often said he was grateful  to have met his wife Betty Ann (A native of  Halls Hill) and together raise their five children in Arlington.

Julian was an active member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church for 49 years, where he sang with choir No. 2, the senior choir and the Esquires, (a male singing group his sister Jessie formed).

Julian loved his family and friends. One of Julian's friends was Herman Boone (deceased), coach of the T. C. Williams Titans, Alexandria, VA. The movie "Remember the Titans" starring Denzel Washington was based on Herman's Boones life. Julian met many of his friends while bowling or playing golf.  He was an avid golfer and you could often find him playing golf, along side his brother-in-law, John B. Henderson (deceased) at the historic Hains Point Golf Course located in Washington, DC. (currently named East Potomac Golf Course).

In 1972, Julian met and later married, Belle Daugherty Evans of Plainfield, NJ. They resided in Arlington and Falls Church, VA until January 2000, when they moved to Coral Springs, Fl to be closer to their Grandchildren. They later moved to West Palm Beach, Fl where they've lived since 2003.

Julian had many friends from very diverse backgrounds.  He met many of his friends while attending the Berean Baptist Church West Palm Beach, renamed Grace Fellowship. Julian played golf with a group of friends who named their group the Romeo's ( Retired Old Men Eating Out).

Julian was funny, kind and loved people. Julian and Belle are blessed to live in Andros Isle, where many of their neighbors are also their good friends.

One of the many special moments of Julian's life was his 10 year involvement with the Honor Flight of  South Florida. Julian and Ryan Paton (Cofounder and Director of operations) became fast friends on Julian's first trip with the organization in Washington, DC. Prior, to Julian's involvement with the Honor Flight, he never discussed what he experienced in WWII. Being a part of the honor flight allowed him to honestly share his experiences privately and publicly .

Ryan, and the Honor Flight Organization blessed Julian and his family in innumerable ways. Julian's family cannot adequately document all of the wonderful people they've met along the way, not to mention the trips, sports organizations and fund raising events. The Miami Dolphins honored Julian and Leo Gray (Tuskegee Airman), by bringing them onto the field at half-time. Louis Brinson of the Miami Marlins met Julian via zoom and when learning Julian was ill gave him a special shout out during his game.

We would be remiss if we didn't  mention, Ryan's wife Milva (their daughter Emma), his mother, Susan, her late husband Doug, brother Todd and the entire Paton family. The kindness, generosity and love shown to  Julian and his family is amazing and on-going (the friends have become family). Through Julian's involvement in the honor flight we've also met the lovely Paula Jarrett, and Jessica Easterling.

Paula, has devoted much of her time to Julian and his famly outside of Honor Flight. Words cannot convey how grateful the family is in knowing her. Through Paula, Julian met Tyrone Brooks, a Navy Petty Officer who presented Julian with a portrait he painted in charcoal, Julian treasured it. During Julian's final days Paula (a nurse) helped to care for Julian. Her compassion and love is evident and the family is grateful for her involvement. In addition, the family is grateful to Jessica Easterling another Honor Flight volunteer, who assisted the family in Washington, DC. Jessica too is compassionate, gracious and kind. While in DC, Julian, Belle and daughter Gail were afforded the opportunity to enjoy a private tour of theWhite House, The Pentagon (where Julian received special special military honors), the Senate Office Building (where Julian met Marc Rubio and his staff), the African American Museum of History and Culture (where the Syphax family is honored with an interactive exhibit). Before, Julian and his family left DC, they had a wonderful lunch at the historic Ben's Chili Bowl, where  the owner Virginia Ali had pictures of Julian taken to place on her restaurant walls .

Another one of Julian's favorite memories was being invited by Honor Flight Volunteer's, Kathy Kelly (high school teacher) and her spouse Robert Cooper (Palm Beach County Deputy) to share some of his life experiences with Kathy's students at the Atlantic Technical School.  The students were fantastic. They made banners, lined the hallways greeting Julian as he entered the school and were very attentive when Julian spoke about being a World War II vet and one of the first black paid firefighters in  Arlington, VA .

Julian took his final Honor flight along with Belle and their daughter Gail,

on July 12, 2018, to San Francisco, CA. Julian's final trip was special and amazing.

A dynamic and wonderful group of people joined Julian and his family on this trip.

Two Veterans Syd Levit (awarded a Purple Heart), Carl Muscarello (Time Square "Kissing Sailor"), and his wife Shelley. The Honor Flight Staff were simply amazing. Each of them deserve a special thank you, Ryan and Milva Paton, Paula Jarret, Jennifer Costea, Erik Bishop, and Marissa and Chuck Turner, who met us in San Francisco. Julian mentioned how much he and Belle enjoyed being chauffeured around by Marissa and Chuck , who shared stories of their life in  Hawaii.

This incredible group of people treated Julian and his family and the other Honor Flight attendees like royalty. There were two special insidences in San Francisco that meant alot to Julian. One was visiting the site of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, where Julian left for Okinawa, Japan 74 years earlier. The staff of the O'Brien gave Julian and some other vets who left from San Francisco special honors. it was a lovely day.

The next visit was an incredible wine reception and lunch at the Caymus Vineyards with owner Chuck Wagner, his wonderful  family and staff.  The  lunch was amazing and the variety of wine served superb. Chuck hosted Julian his famiy and other veterans and treated each of them and their family as  royalty.  It was an exceptional experience and  the relationship didnot end with this trip. Chuck Wagner and his family sent Julian and his family a variety of Caymus wines  during the holidays.  Recently, Julian was able to see the special wine collection Chuck Wagner and Caymus Vineyards created to honor some World War II Veterans (Julian is included in this group).

Julian was a wise, loving, caring and devoted  husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who will be sorely missed by all of those whose life he touched. His humor and gregarious laugh was infectious.  He leaves to cherish his memory: Belle Syphax (wife); children: Gary Syphax (Paulette), Gail Syphax, Judy Syphax (deceased), Kevin Syphax(deceased) (Leatrice), Brian Syphax (Brigitte); six grandchildren, Nick Hazly, Porsha Nicholson, Zaneta Dodd, Sharnell Clark (James), Tunisia Syphax; nine great grandchildren; Tyson Stone,  Amari Nicholson, Christian Clarke, Damyan Nicholson,  Abriella Clarke, Kimora Clarke, Zanna Dodd, Leliani  Clarke,  Robert Dodd., Jr . We give special acknowledgement to George DuBose (Judy); Ryan Paton (Milva) and a host of  other relatives and friends.

Order   Of   Service

Prayer: Deacon Herman Holmes

Selection: Evangelist Sharen Adams

Scripture: Deacon  Eddie Adams

Old Testament :       Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

New Testament: First Thessalonians 4:14-17

Selection : Evangelist Sharen Adams

Remarks : 2 minutes please

Acknowledgments : Worldwar II Veterans present; Letters; Cards

Howvard Brooks

Obituary: Read Silently

Children Tribute : Gail Syphax

Eulogy: Elder Gary Loster

Benediction: Deacon Herman Holmes

Committal: Elder Gary Loster

Scripture:  2 Timothy 4: 7-8

(7 ) I  have fought  a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

(8) Henceforth there is laid up for me  a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the

righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them

that love his appearing.

The   End of   My  Road

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me-but let me go

For this is a journey that we all must take

And each must go alone.

It's all part of the Master's plan

A step on the road to home

When you are lonely and sick of heart

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds

Miss me but let me go.

(Author Unknown)

Special  Thanks And Appreciation

We thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the strength He has given us in taking care of Julian, particularly in the last months of his life. We would be remiss if we didn't thank and acknowlege the following:

Grace Fellowship Church

Pastor Jeff Robinson

Pastor Frank Ingram

Ladies of Grace (Ruby Mapp)

House of God International Ministries

Apostle James Lofton

Prophetess Lisa Lofton

Evangelist Sharen Adams

Deacon Eddie Adams

Intercessor Brendaly Nazario

H.J. Hines Ministries

Apostle H.J. Hines

Bishop Lisa Johnson

H.J. Hines Ministry Family

Mount Olive Baptist Church

Deacon Sylvia Thompson

Deacon Bernard Thompson

Shiloh Baptist Church

Reverend Cecil Whitfield

Galbraith AME Zion Church

Reverend Darrell Whitfield

National Park Service, Arlington,VA

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Charles Cuvelier Superintendent

Aurelia Garcia Community Planner

NPS staff

Trustbridge Hospice

Clay Moore Nursing Assistant

Family

Honorable Gary Loster

Allene Loster

Herman Holmes

Diana Holmes

Marguerite Gooden

Steve Hammond

Friends

The Paton Family

Sue and Kenneth Close

Barbara and Rick Burdette

Nancy and Steve Horvath

Kathy and Patrick Edmonson

Annette, Angelina and Anthony Ramos

John Mike

Erna Schultz

Sylvia Windmueller

Norma and Pete Rodgriguez

Howvard  D. Brooks

The Wonderful Neighbors of Andros Isle

Acknowledgements

The family of Julian M. Syphax expresses profound gratitude for the acts of kindness and expressions of love and concern you showed us during Julians illness and passing. The prayers, cards, calls, meals and many other acts of kindness means the world to us. Bless you.

*Zoom Link For Service*

https://viewneral.zoom.us/j/95412585349?pwd=SHlaWE9vTkFjeTN3ZXlYb3ZZQW9SUT09

All Donations May Be Made To:

Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach

5300 East Ave.

West Palm Beach, Florida 33407

888-441-4040

In Memory of Julian Syphax