Julia Ann Bourk Suchman

Julie was born on April 22, 1953 to Pat and Gil Bourk in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating from Loretto High School, Julie received a Bachelor’s of Education from Kansas State University.

After graduation Julie was an art teacher in Burlingame, Kansas, but after a year of teaching she decided to join Braniff Airlines, based out of Dallas, Texas, and that is where her true career began. After 2 years of being a flight attendant, Braniff declared bankruptcy, and Julie changed uniforms and went to work at American Airlines. Within a short period of time, Julie moved from being a flight attendant to lead positions within Flight Services, including Manager, Flight Attendant Recruiting, and Instructor and Curriculum Director. Julie retired from American Airlines after 37 years in 2019. After touching the lives of every American Airlines employee she came in contact with, nearly 1500 people attended her retirement party. In 2021 she moved back to Kansas City.

Julie met Karl Suchman in 1985 and Karl fell in love with her the moment he met her. They were married in 1988 and they were blessed with a son, Zachary who was truly the light of her life. Julie would jokingly tell others that she was so glad she had a son because she had no idea what she would have done with a daughter.

Julie’s faith was deeply important to her, and she was an active member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, in Plano, Texas for 25 years. Her Catholic faith was such an integral part of her life she found joy in assisting at church in any way possible including caring for the altar cloths and linens for over 10 years. She was an active member of the Dallas Alumnae Club of Kansas State Pi Beta Phi where the friendships she made at KSU continued to grow.

Julie was a kind, thoughtful, intelligent woman who always took the time to stay in touch with friends and family. She had a special knack for writing excellent thank you notes which her family and friends were lucky to receive anytime they did something for her. Julie lived her life with integrity from a place of love, and in service of others.

Julie was predeceased by her parents, Gil P. Bourk and Patricia J. Bourk, Homer and Alma Suchman. She is survived by her husband Karl, son Zachary, brothers Gib (Maria) and Dan (Kasey), nephew Paul Bourk, and nieces Katie and Maggie Bourk.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 21st.