LeCRAW, Sr., Julian On October 25th, 2016, after a brief illness, Julian LeCraw, Sr, age 86, went to be with his Lord, whom he has served and worshipped his entire life. He was born on May 21st, 1930 in Atlanta, GA to Col. Roy Conway LeCraw and Julia Adams LeCraw. His father Roy fought in 4 wars, and went on to be Mayor of Atlanta from 1941-1942. Julian had 4 brothers Buck, Veazey, Connie and Rupert. From the LeCraw side he had 5 beloved sisters-in-law and 12 nieces and nephews. Julian married Joanne Delany in 1952 in Atlanta, GA. Their 64-yearmarriage, characterized by kindness, respect and a love for the Lord, has served as a shining example of enduring and unconditional love for theirfamily and loved ones. In these later years, they went to sleep each night holding hands, and woke up ready to continue this loving touch throughout the day. On the Delany side, he had 2 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law, and 12 nieces and nephews, all of whom he cared about deeply. Julian and Joanne had 3 childrenSuzanne Cox (George), Elaine Baker, Julian, Jr. (Egle) and 9 grandchildrenKevin Baker, Suzanne Baker, Leigh Adams (Sam), Mark Olsen (Kate), Joanna Higgins (Sam), Ashton LeCraw, Julian LeCraw III, Sophia LeCraw, Charles Cox, Christopher Cox (Georgia) and 2 great-grandchildrenMatthew Hampton Olsen and Samuel Anderson Adams, Jr., and one step-great grandchild, Carson Cool Cox. Julian was predeceased by his precious grandson, Joseph Matthew Olsen. Julian loved to travel, and he shared many adventures, including the Virgin Islands, Kenya, England, Hawaii, Jerusalem (on Christmas Day) and Rome with his children and grandchildren. These are lifelong memories that Julian provided for his family. They will never forget being with their "E" in these exotic places and what they all learned about the world and other cultures. Julian had many passions in this life. He flew his own plane for 25 years. He was fascinated with being in the pilot's seat and using only his instruments to navigate. Another passion was sports. Of course GA Tech athletics were his first love, but he had great fun attending multiple sporting Olympics every 4 years for 24 years. He loved to take his son Julian to the Indy 500 every year. The Masters in Augusta held a special place on his calendar from his college days until he was 80. And might we mention the mighty game of GOLF if he ever had an obsession, it was golf. He was a real student of the game with every book by every pro on his bookshelf. He was a founding member of The Atlanta Country Club and of The Atlanta Classic Foundation. He was a member of so many golf clubs, we can't even list them all. But if we had to single out a few of his favorites, they would be Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta, Highlands Country Club in Highlands, NC, Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, FL and Gulf Stream Golf Club in Delray Beach, FL. Julian graduated from Boys High in 1948 where he became an Eagle Scout. He then went on to GA Tech where he joined Chi Phi Fraternity. He earned a degree in Industrial Management. GA Tech blood runs deep in the LeCraw family as father Roy and all 5 LeCraw boys graduated from there. Two institutions of learning were dear to Julian's heart: The Westminster Schools and GA Tech. He was on the Board of Trustees of Westminster for 20+ years where he was Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for most of his tenure and on the Executive Committee. All 3 of his children attended Westminster, as well as most of his grandchildren. Julian became active in the GA Tech Foundation in 1989 where he served as Treasurer 1993-95, VP 1995-97 and President of the Foundation from 1999-2001. He was instrumental in Tech's decision to expand east across I-75 and develop Technology Square and other important additions. He was Chair of the GA Tech Facilities Committee from 2002-2003 where he oversaw the redevelopment of many buildings. In 2001 he received the Joseph Mayo Petit award for Distinguished Alumni Service. An experience in Julian's life that made a lasting impression was his service in the US Navy with 3 years of active duty as a lieutenant from 1952-1955 and 5 years in the Naval Reserve from 1955-1960. He considered having a career in the Navy, but Atlanta pulled him back home. He entered the real estate business in 1955 with his father who sponsored him to build his first modest apartment building. Soon afterwards he formed his own company, Julian LeCraw & Co., which developed 1000's of apartment units, as well as office buildings, retail centers, hotels and industrial buildings over its 50+ year history. He was a founding member of the Atlanta Apartment Association and the Buckhead Coalition where he served as President from 1993-95. Also, he was VP of the Fulton County Development Authority. The list could go on and on about his work in Atlanta Real Estate, but they could never speak to the uniquely ethical and honest way Julian comported himself as a business man and civil servant. One saying he lived by in making a deal was "don't ever leave the table until everyone is smiling". That sums up the generous and keen attitude he took towards business and relationships in general, which made him one of the few who could be genuinely trusted on a hand-shake deal. North Avenue Church, where he was a member from 1939, has been his rock as far as his spiritual life on earth. His grandfather and father were instrumental in getting the church started, and Julian was there to keep it going in fine form. If there was a need at the church such as a new roof, Julian would see to it that it was done. He was a Deacon and Elder many times since 1970 and has served on almost every committee. Each minister beginning with Dr. Vernon S. Broyles was a very close friend and mentor to Julian. He did everything he could to help them to succeed. He also served faithfully on the Boards of Columbia Theological Seminary and Presbyterian College. One could say with strong conviction that Julian LeCraw did all he could to advance God's work in this world, to help anyone who needed him, to never want the credit, to hardly ever tell anyone the caring things he did for people so they could survive, to let people around the world know of the love of Jesus, and to always protect his family and his loving wife. If asked by his children how to do something, he would patiently show them. If he didn't know, he would find out. If it still didn't work he would always say "try something new until you find something that works". Julian LeCraw was a humble man with tremendous character. He was always a gentleman. It wasn't so much what he did, but how he did it that endeared him to so many. He encouraged his family not to hold on to anger or carry a grudge. Forgive and let it go was his motto. A memorial service will be held for Julian LeCraw, Sr. on Saturday, November 5 at 11:00 am at North Avenue Presbyterian Church. There will be a reception afterwards at Peachtree Golf Club from 12:30 - 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Matthew Olsen Scholarship Fund at The Westminster Schools, 1424 W. Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, GA 30327.