Julian Smathers

"A Friend to All" Clyde - Julian Smathers of Clyde North Carolina slipped away peacefully into the arms of his Savior, Jesus the Christ on January 12, 2016. Julian was a resident of the NC State Veteran's Home in Black Mountain for the last six months where he was loved by all. Julian began his earthly journey on August 8, 1923 in the same bedroom of the house he lived in all his life. He was the baby brother of Janice Smathers, a well-known music teacher and organist for over 50 years at Clyde Central United Methodist Church. He was born to Eva West Smathers and Walter George Smathers. As a young man in Clyde, he was loved by all and had many friends. He was known for his 1924 Model T he drove his friends around in, particularly Bucky Brown and his girlfriend Gladys, who Bucky went on to marry. Bucky often said he owed Julian a debt of gratitude for all of his chauffeuring. Julian was also famous for his three wheeled Harley Davidson motorcycle he could be seen on around town and on the farm. As WW II broke out Julian answered the call immediately after graduation from Clyde High School in 1943. Through a mix up in his orders he and his buddy, Ray Anders of Asheville, ended up being sent to basic training in the state of Washington, instead of Fort Jackson, SC or Fort Bragg, NC. After a cross country train ride, Ray and Julian were sent to New York City and sailed for Great Britain aboard the largest ocean liner in the world at that time, The Queen Elizabeth. With only a three day escort by dirigible for protection, the ship sailed unprotected across the Atlantic Ocean with 21, 000 soldiers aboard. The Germans never knew this and after a lengthy almost two week journey they landed in Glasgow, Scotland to do their part. Although Julian was not in combat, he stated many times he saw the results of war because his unit, 603 Graves Registration Unit, was responsible for burying the casualties and laying out the cemeteries in England and France. Julian and Ray helped lay out the Champagnole Cemetery in France with 35, 000 hand dug graves. Julian met several French girls he was very fond of while in France, but met a girl while in England, Nena, that he fell in love with. Julian was offered the opportunity to stay in England and attend Cambridge University, but he just wanted to come home to the beautiful mountains and Clyde. At wars end, he returned home to Clyde. Nena and Julian stayed in touch over the years with her coming to the United States several times, but for reasons only known to them they never married. Upon his return his father asked him if he would like to work in the family business, a dry goods store. Julian told him he could not say no to people and he reckoned he would be out of business soon due to extending credit to others. Julian loved the land so he decided to be a farmer. He grew many crops such as sorgum for the large community and he did molasses makings annually, as well as tobacco, corn, potatoes and the like. His favorite farming activity was raising his Hereford cattle. These cattle became his pets so much so he had one that would run to greet him and even stick her head into his vehicle for a tasty cookie or cracker. Julian loved his Lord and lived a righteous life before him, never drinking, smoking or cussing. He never met a stranger and was quick to talk to anyone and for that matter help them when he could. About the harshest words ever out of his mouth were "Well, he don't add anything to society does he?" referring to someone he was dissatisfied with. Julian will be remembered as one of the kindest, most gentle people anyone could hope to know. Although they were cousins, and Julian was not a father himself, he was a father figure to Norman Medford and a grandfather figure to his children, Amy and Austin. Those left to cherish his memory are numerous friends, and extended family to include but are not limited to: Norman , Mary, Amy and Austin Medford, Dean and Carla Inman, Chris Inman, the Leonard C. Smith family and Gwen Cradle. Special thanks are extended to the staff at the NC State Veteran's Home in Black Mountain, who took exceptionally good care of Julian. The Medford and Inman families will miss the "Chief "as we nicknamed Julian for his supervision over the last ten years of their cattle ranching under Julian's direction. Julian always said he would like to be remembered as "a farmer out standing in his field". The friends and family will gather at Wells Funeral Home in Canton for a time of remembrances and visitation on Saturday, January 16, 2016 from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. A brief chapel service will follow with burial at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on the Old Clyde Road. Anyone wishing to remember Julian is welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morning Star Cemetery Maintenance Fund, P.O. Box 1746, Canton, NC 28716.

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