Julie Avery Dees

Julie Avery Dees, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and volunteer died on April 14, 2023 in her home in the Sandia Mountains above Albuquerque, New Mexico. Julie had struggled with a devastating intestinal disease for over 20 years, and she fought the ravages of it with grace and dignity until the very end.

Her greatest passion was volunteering for organizations that worked with young children. Julie lived her motto: "Give more than you get with your time, money and yourself." No matter how gravely ill she was, Julie always strived to provide hope and love to others who needed both. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School at Covenant Presbyterian Church, volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House in Austin, the PTOs at her children's schools, CASA, the Austin Assistance League, several food pantries and organizations which worked with children who were graduating out of the Foster Care System. Julie was a board member of Make a Wish of Cape Cod, Cape Cod Kids Meals and Wonders and Worries of Austin. When Julie’s disease began to adversely affect her health, she turned to Wonders and Worries of Austin to provide her two young sons with the support and counseling they needed to understand their mother’s failing health issues. Julie received many awards for her volunteer service and was proud of receiving the KVUE “Five Who Care” award. She was truly an inspiration to all those who knew and volunteered with her.

Julie was born on October 12, 1973 in Austin, Texas to Judy Eitelman and John Sharp Avery, Sr. Julie attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, O’Henry Junior High School and Stephen F. Austin High School. In 1995 she graduated from TCU with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. After graduation, Julie became the assistant social coordinator at Barton Creek Country Club. There she met her future husband, Brian Alan Dees, a Golf Professional. They were married at Covenant Presbyterian Church on February 22, 1997. Julie and Brian have two sons, Parker Alan Dees (Round Rock) and Hudson Avery Dees (Dallas). In 2009 Julie and Brian welcomed into their family their great-nephew, Aidan Dees.

When her health permitted, Julie focused on being the Director of Special Events at country clubs where her husband was the manager. She enjoyed planning weddings and parties and was admired and respected for her work. Julie loved playing tennis, water and snow skiing, fishing, visiting her family’s south Texas ranch, playing games on the patio of her family’s Lake Travis home, playing bunko with her girlfriends and cheering for her sons at baseball games. She also enjoyed decorating for each holiday, and watching the snow fall in the mountains around her home in Albuquerque.

Julie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Arthur and Elfrieda Knippa Eitelman, and her paternal grandparents, Charles N. “Buck” and Lucille Sharp Avery. Julie is survived by husband, Brian Dees, her sons Parker and Hudson Dees, great-nephew Aidan Dees, her parents, Judy and John S. Avery, Sr, and by her siblings, Jana Avery Buis (Mark) and John S. Avery, Jr. (Valerie). She was close to and loved by her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Memorial Service for Julie will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, Texas 78757. A Reception will follow at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to send a memorial contribution to Wonders & Worries, 9101 Burnet Road, Suite 205, Austin, Texas 78758, The Ronald McDonald House, 1315 Barbara Jordan Boulevard, Austin, TX 78713 or a charity of your choice.