Julian Russell Dracon

***In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations are made to the AHEPA Scholarship Fund, Denver Chapter 145, 6675 East Tennessee Avenue, Denver, CO 80224.*** Julian Russell Dracon Born July 14, 1933 in Indianapolis, IN, the son of George and Gladys Dracopolous (Dracon) and the brother to Mary, John and Jean, Julian Dracon passed away on August 7, 2015 at the age of 82. Graduating from Billings Senior High School in Billings, MT, Julian enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17. Over the duration of his military career, he travelled the world, lived in Hawaii and Japan, and retired after 26 years as an E9–Master Chief, Lithographer. While serving in the Navy, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado University in 1975. Early in Julian's naval career he met his future wife, Betty Gladine VanKirk, in Billings, MT. After 3-years of long-distance courtship, they were married in Camden, NJ on November 13, 1955. Over the course of their 59-years of marriage, Julian and Gladine raised three children (Juldine, Elizabeth and Donald), resided in numerous states for various naval posts, and eventually settled in the Denver metro area. Although Julian retired from the military in 1976, he remained closely affiliated with his naval roots. He was an active member and officer of the Armed Forces E9 Association, Fleet Reserve Association, served as a Blue and Gold Officer for the US Naval Academy, and founded the Navy Lithographers Association. He continued to pursue his passion for printing by working for A.B. Dick and ultimately creating and operating for 42 years Jiffy Reproduction and Duplicating. A member of the Masonic Order, SERTOMA, Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star and the Greek fraternal organization AHEPA, Julian was admired and respected for the time and effort he dedicated to serving others in his community. Julian enjoyed outdoor activities throughout his life such as skiing, sailing, and camping, and built the family vacation home in South Park Colorado. An avid reader and historian, Julian could always be counted on to validate an assumption or statement with historical facts and figures. Julian and Gladine enjoyed travelling together to visit friends and family, and attend reunions and conferences throughout the US. When asked why he did not vacation overseas, he responded, ""Why would I go overseas when there is so much to see in the US."" Julian is survived by his wife Gladine; daughter Juldine and her husband Jeff Cohen; daughter Elizabeth and her husband Hoop Wellon; son Donald and his wife Kimberly Dracon; brother John Dracon; grandchildren Danine Mann, Amy Dracon, Nate Dracon and Doug Dracon; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Viewing will be held at 12:00 Noon followed by Memorial Service on Thursday, August 27, 2015, 1PM. Both will be held at Horan & McConaty, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, CO . Burial will be held on Friday, August 28, 2015 at 10AM, at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please share your memories of Julian and condolences with his family by signing the Guestbook below.