Julian Chad Straw
Julian Chad Straw (2002-2023), of Marietta, passed away on December 29, 2023 after a lifelong struggle with Cerebral Palsy. The extent of his illness made it impossible for him to accumulate the life experiences that are normally summarized in an obituary. Instead, Julian’s life found a purpose in bringing out the best in others and exposing qualities that can, when extended, transform people and offer a prologue to the eternity that awaits us all. Many of these qualities are exemplified by the care provided by his mother Tamera, whose compassion, empathy, and selfless courage can serve as a living template of the path any human being can take in seeking a life of value. The Roman writer Cicero left behind a powerful Latin motto that can inspire us to see Julian’s life as a reminder of our duties to others: “Non nobis solum nati summus” (“Not for ourselves alone are we born”).
Julian tragically could never know that he was preceded in death by his grandparents Joseph & Mary Straw and cousins Victoria Baker and Elijah Christopher Straw. He also leaves in mourning his parents Joseph & Tamera Straw of Marietta, OH; brother, Jordan Straw of Marietta, OH; grandparents, Amos & Mary Lee of Cleveland, OH; uncles, Reshawn Lee of Cleveland, OH; Curtis Chandler Lee of Painsville, OH; Jonathan Straw of Vancouver, WA; Thomas Straw of Pittsburgh, PA; aunts, Kathleen Zornick of Vancouver, WA; Julie Beaver of Alliance, OH; Stephanie Lee of Cleveland, OH; and cousins David & Alex Zomick, Reshawn Lee Jr., John & Jeanie Klimsak, Joseph & Nicolas Beaver, Victor Vazquez & Julianne Vazquez, and Rowan Straw.
Julian’s life will be celebrated by a funeral mass and reception 11:00 am on Monday, January 15th at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Vienna, WV. Private interment will follow later at St. Casmir Cemetery in Castle Shannon, PA. Flowers can be sent to the McClure-Lankford Funeral Home at 314 4th Street in Marietta, OH, or donations can be made in Julian’s name to Catholic Charities USA (https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org).
Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.
All the Straw family extends are heartfelt thanks to everyone that provided helping hands during are long journey with Julian. The list is too vast to recall in all its details, but special mention must be made to Ewing School that gave their best to optimize this child in the midst of his terrifying disabilities. Thanks must also be offered to the caring, doctors, nurses, and other professionals at the WVU Medical Center at Camden-Clark who had the courage to say that the end had finally come. Praise has to be extended, as well, to the palliative care given by the staffs of ResCare and the Amedisys hospice service that made are sons passing a peaceful one. It’s are enduring hope that all the people touched by Julian will hold on to their memories to find a goodness and meaning in their lives that sets an example for others to connect with their own humanity.