Julian L. Boswell

Durham – Julian Lincoln Boswell, 99, died peacefully in his sleep shortly after midnight Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Hillcrest Convalescent Center from pneumonia. Julian was born July 13, 1925 to the late Elisha Lincoln Boswell and Essie Shields Boswell. He married Margaret Yeatts of Dry Fork on October 29, 1950 in Chatham, Virginia.

Together they raised three daughters in the suburbs of Durham, while pursuing careers: he as district sales manager for Brown-Rodgers-Dixson, a wholesale hardware distributor, she as director of nursing service at Watts Hospital, and later as nursing supervisor at John Umstead Hospital. They enjoyed several company trips to such places as Switzerland and Nova Scotia. Julian loved to hunt quail with his dogs Pat and Mike, fish, play golf, and watch Yankees baseball. They played bridge in several clubs, and Scrabble - many evenings just the two of them. When Margaret’s health declined, Julian cared for her through four years of dementia before she passed away in 2012. 

Julian was drafted as soon as he turned 18 and served in the US Navy in the Pacific in WWII. He was a gunner’s mate on the USS Oxford. After discharge, he returned to Chatham and finished high school at Hargrave Military Academy.

First Presbyterian has been their church home since 1956. The family is grateful for the love and attention shown to Julian in recent years when he was unable to attend. Thanks also to Hillcrest where he lived for the past three years and received impressive loving care. He especially enjoyed the music provided by the pianist Christian Foushee-Green.

Julian is survived by his daughters Julia Hill of Rougemont, Sandra Gordon of Durham, and Pam Gunn and husband Wilson of Durham. Grandchildren are Lisa St.Clair and husband Scott of Roanoke VA, Sarah Miles of Rougemont and Savannah Rimmer of Bessemer City, Chelsea Taylor and Alex Brasee of Durham, Daniel Gunn of Wallace, Ben Gunn and wife Candace of Durham, Jasper Gunn of Richmond VA. Great-grandchildren are JJ and Josh St.Clair, Karli Taylor, Kayla and Maddi Miles, Tucker Oldson, and Penelope Gunn. 

Julian was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret, sister Dorothy Beller, brothers Roger and John, sons-in-law Marc Hill and Kemp Gordon, and great-grandson Jacob Bratton Hodge. 

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, August 10 at noon at First Presbyterian Church, 305 East Main St, Durham NC 27701, with the Rev. Esther Hethcox and the Rev. Mindy Douglas presiding.

The Boswell family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.