Percy L. Julian Jr.

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DePauw University University of Wisconsin

Percy Julian Obituary

Julian, Jr., Percy L. 67, civil rights lawyer, died February 24th in Madison, Wisconsin from a cerebral hemorrhage. Born in Chicago, he moved to Oak Park when he was 10. He resided in Madison since entering the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he earned his J.D. in 1966. He was the son of the renowned scientist, Dr. Percy L. Julian, for whom there are two schools named in Chicago and Oak Park. Julian's work included: desegregating the schools in Springfield, Ill., ending racial segregation in the Milwaukee County jail; employment and housing discrimination cases; voting rights litigation; defending student protestors; and being one of the first lawyers to fight for a woman's right to choose. He served a term as President of the First Amendment Lawyers Association. He was licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the court of appeals in Wi., Il., Az., & Ok. He was a training consultant to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). He taught housing discrimination law at the National Fair Housing Academy in Washington, D.C. He was a masterful photographer. He taught photography at DePauw University in Indiana, and the University of Wisconsin. He travelled extnsively, and created and produced a film entitled: "China: One Man's View," as the result of having been one of the first Americans to see the inside of a Chinese prison. He taught cooking and self-published volumes of cookbooks. He designed sterling silver jewelry which he sold at art fairs. A private funeral was held on February 29th and a memorial service on March 7th. Both were held in Madison. Internment was at Elmlawn Cemetery in Elmhurst, Il. He is survived by his wife, Jan Blackmon; a daughter, Dr. Katherine Julian, (husband William Kwong); a sister, Faith Julian; a brother, Leon Ellis; two stepsons, Scott & Kevin Blackmon and six grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to: NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, 99 Hudson St; Suite 1600, New York N.Y. 10013.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Mar. 30, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Percy Julian

6 Entries

Joanne Rhodes

May 12, 2021

I did not know anyone in the Julian family. I just watched the 2 hour NOVA documentary about Percy Julian and saw Percy Julian, Jr speaking about his father. I was so impressed with the integrity and bravery of both of them, and so amazed by the story details, that I looked them up on the internet to learn more. I was so sad to see that Percy Julian, Jr. Passed away within a year of the airing of the NOVA episode.:-(
I am so glad that I got to hear him speak about his memories of his dad before he passed away, and also glad to learn that he became a civil rights lawyer. He came from generations of determined, persistent, confident family. I feel very fortunate to have learned the story of this family.

amani julian

February 12, 2021

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Roni Carlson

January 31, 2021

I am watching the documentary about Dr. Julian now and his son Percy Julian Jr. is speaking now. I was so sorry to learn Percy Jr. has also passed away. I may be wrong, but I don't think my high school science class mentioned Dr. Julian's contributions to science. I'm in awe of this marvelous American family.

Christine Vernon

January 28, 2021

Just watched this again last night and was moved again by the example of the life of luminary Percy Julian, Sr. I was so sorry to remember again that his son, Percy Julian, Jr. has also passed away. He was the Boy Scout Leader for my late husband's Troop in Oak Park, Illinois where my husband and I both grew up. My husband thought he was a great Scout Leader. As children, we heard of the bombing and burning of the home when we were both growing up in different parts of Oak Park. It was confusing to each of us coming from very different experiences, my husband a WASP Methodist and me a Catholic but our parents were the same, appalled that such a fine man would be harassed. I can't help but think it was outsiders since even though Oak Park was not racially integrated yet, In the Catholic schools, we went to school with many different nationalities and Oak Park was 50% Catholic by the 1950s. There was tolerance of people who were different. We would have missed so much good if there hadn't been. There were always prejudices of one kind or another. Old prejudices die hard with some people, they could never tell my husband's grandmother that I was a Catholic. We are slowly making progress but as we see now, we have been remiss as a Nation doing our homework now for decades by not stopping institutional racism and discrimination in all its ugly forms.
Percy Julian's education, work, life and struggle has always amazed and impressed me. Then when you consider how he advanced and succeeded despite discrimination and challenges. His son also made important contributions to society. He raised a son, Percy Julian, Jr. with an amazing body of work to his credit and to leave an important legacy as a civil rights attorney. What a remarkable family. And as Judge Maguire wrote, "What a marvelous AMERICAN story!"

Judge Walt Maguire (ret.)

January 28, 2021

Just watched the PBS Special on Dr. Percy Julian. What an extraordinary human being! Thank you to his friends, family and colleagues who helped him succeed far beyond any reasonable expectations! We are a better society for his and his family’s contributions! What a marvelous AMERICAN story!

marc johnson

April 16, 2008

Faith, my heartfelt sympathy and love. Marc

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