| Graduation Year | Class of 1983 |
| Date of Passing | Apr 25, 2006 |
| About | Julie Anne Gannon died on April 25, 2006, at the age of 40. Julie fought a fierce battle, but cancer won. It took her body, but it did not conquer her spirit or invade her soul. How can anyone tell of such an animated, enthusiastic and opinionated life of 40 years in just a few paragraphs? Julie was born in Houston on July 7, 1965. At age 3 she became a world traveler, living first in American Samoa, then in Saipan, with her mother and brother. She saw the pope, Apollo astronauts, hid her breakfast eggs under her chair cushion and wrecked her hair cutting bubble gum from her bangs. In the islands she became a swimmer, shell-seeker and trash-picker. Acclimating to a U.S. culture after seven years in the Pacific was a challenge for a 10-year-old. In Tucson, Ariz., she began at Harelson Elementary, then went on to Cross Junior High, and graduated from Canyon del Oro High School in 1983. She continued at Northern Arizona University, where she graduated (with a degree in sociology) in 1987. Her caring and nurturing created close friendships that continue to this day. Following graduation she toured Europe with a friend, a backpack and wanderlust. Upon her return, Julie moved to the Denver/Boulder area, where she worked in juvenile corrections, beginning her career in helping others. She became an avid bicyclist and competed in triathlons. She also studied German, moving to Germany for two years, working and attending classes, and returned to Colorado in 1992. Danyel Fraker, a high school acquaintance, reconnected with Julie by chance in 1999 at a gathering of mutual friends. He captured Julie's heart, and she ended up here in the Roaring Fork Valley to share her life with him. She became a probation officer for the 9th Judicial District and was a dedicated DUI evaluator. She flourished, knowing that she was doing something that mattered. Julie is survived by her husband, Danyel F. Fraker; her dad and mom, Peter B. and Camille C. Gannon; brother Peter T. Gannon (Kim) and sister, Katie Gannon Biggers (Doug) of Tucson; brother Chris M. Gannon (Sarah) of Madras, Ore.; mother-in-law Claudette Fraker of Aspen; and father-in-law David F. Fraker Sr. of Tucson. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Valley View Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1970, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602. Please indicate on the check that the contribution is for the Julie Gannon Fund, Youth Recovery Center. Memorial services are pending. |
