Julian J. Vandecaveye

Julian was born Aug. 14, 1930, in St. Nicholas, the son of Jerome and Lucy (DeWilde) Vandecaveye, Belgian immigrants in 1912 and 1920 respectively. The fourth child in a family of eight. He was raised on his parents’ St. Nicholas farm. He attended Perkins elementary school and graduated from Perkins High School class of 1948 as Salutatorian of his class. While attending high school, Julian participated in various high school sports, especially basketball.

In January of 1950 Julian received a scholarship to attend Michigan State College for a short course in agriculture. In July of 1951, during the Korean War, He enlisted in the United States Air Force. After basic training, he was assigned to take an aircraft and engine technician course at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. Following that he took a jet engine specialist course at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Ill. He later completed his enlistment at Williams Air Force in Chandler, Ariz, Great Falls Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont., and Ellsworth Air Force Base he had a TDA at General Electric jet engine factory school. In July of 1955 he was honorably discharged.

In the fall of 1955 Julian enrolled as a student at Northern Michigan College. He majored in mathematics and chemistry, and minored in physics. He received his bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate in 1959. In the fall of 1960 he attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for advanced courses in mathematics.

In the fall of 1962, Julian began his teaching career at Perkins High School, his alma mater. In addition to teaching, he also served as principal, coach, and athletic director for many years. He was very active in the sports leagues in which the school was affiliated with. He served as a scheduler, statistician, and secretary for many years. Julian also served as clerk of the course for many track and field meets throughout the years. He also enthusiastically supported the growth of girls sports in the 1970’s, especially basketball and track and field.

In August of 1984 Julian was united in marriage to Wyoma “Honey” Hughey-Livingston at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins. Julian retired from Mid Peninsula High School as a teacher and athletic director in June 1993. Following his retirement, he became active in township government, serving on the zoning board, board of review, and clerk for many years. He also served as a member of the Delta County Planning Commision for several years.

He was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins where he was greatly involved.

In addition to his loving wife Honey, he is survived by: three sons, Michael Vandecaveye of Gladstone, Mich., Robert (Carmen) Livingston-Clark of Gwinn, Mich., and Garth (Julie) Livingston-McLead of Pocahontas, Tenn.; one brother, Joseph Vandecaveye of Fremont, Calif.; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Julian was preceded in death by: daughter, Karman Paulus; five sisters, Mary Gabriel, Margaret Jodocy, Marcella Maki, Christine VanDamme, and Martha Latos; and one brother, James Vandecaveye.

Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Perkins. Officiating will be Rev. Fr. Joseph Augustine and Rev. Fr. Emmett Norden concelebrating. Burial will follow at the Perkins Cemetery where military honors will be presented. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be directed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Parking Lot fund. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Vandecaveye family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can leave a message of condolence to the family.