Julian Michael Woolridge was born on October 20, 1992, in St. Louis, Missouri to Jason and Kimberly Woolridge. A happy child, he always had a sense of what he needed and made his presence known. His sisters Brie and Morgan loved their brother and typical of older siblings, they spoke for him. For some time, his parents wondered whether this young kid would speak, but he emerged with words unlike many kids his age. Like most little boys, Julian enjoyed shooting hoops, riding bikes, swimming, and playing outside with friends until the streetlights came on. He was well-liked and adored for making others smile and laugh with funny stories and jokes. Julian possessed an old soul and embraced all genres of music, books, and movies. His intelligent, inquisitive nature often led him to listen to oldies but goodies, watch documentaries and read biographies.
He spent his early years in St. Louis, Missouri and attended University City Public Schools for elementary and middle school. He moved to Chandler, Arizona for his high school years and graduated with honors in 2010 from Hamilton High School. He attended community college in St. Louis and Phoenix. In middle school he met the love of his life, Charme Benson. They reconnected after high school and recently reunited. Despite their long-distance relationship, they “dated” often by watching movies together on the phone til the wee hours of the night.
In 2002, Julian professed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at North Hills Church of Christ where he was baptized by the late Cedric Morgan, his teenage Bible study teacher. Julian actively participated in youth group at North Hills and Ferguson Heights Church of Christ. He grew spiritually and firmly believed the truth of Philippians 3:14 that “He could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.”
Julian developed a craft and passion for language and poetry. Words were his foundation and his lifelong aspiration. He was a poet who understood that words have meaning and to get it “right” had impact and substance. Julian knew his voice, best expressed through encouraging and uplifting words, could bring hope and survival to many of his friends and family as well as strangers. His mother, Kimberly Woolridge, relished his unique talent and continued to encourage him to publish his poems. Although he is physically gone, his legacy will indeed live on through his words.
Julian was an activist on both a personal and professional level, always supporting and speaking out for causes and friends that had unjust circumstances. He was a compassionate consoler and advocate whose shoulders comforted many weary souls. They relied on him for his unwavering support and these friends will miss him dearly. Most of all, Julian was a spiritual man, whose faith in God was his foundation. Undeterred, Julian always understood that his faith would lead him. While he spent his short life questioning many things, he never questioned his faith.
Julian spent much of his adult life dealing with mental health issues and addiction. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 26 years old, he struggled to balance his love and support for others and loving himself enough to stay on his prescribed meds and stop self-medicating. At times it was overwhelming, but he continued to support his family and friends despite his personal challenges. While his story is unique in the man he became in his brief 28 years, his story is also familiar to the many battling with similar conditions. His strength in his very short years is a testament to his passion to help others when he himself struggled. Again, words and faith were his rock.
On Sunday, September 26, 2021, Julian’s Heavenly Father called him home. While we will miss him dearly, we are comforted that his terrestrial struggle is over and he is finally at peace. Julian can truly serve as an angel with celestial powers to help others now. We will miss our loving son, caring grandson, kind brother, favorite uncle and thoughtful friend.
He leaves to cherish special memories of his life a devoted mother, Kimberly Woolridge (David); a proud father, Jason Woolridge; five adoring sisters, Gabrielle “Brie” Johnson, Morgan Clay (Elliott), Shelby Woolridge, Sydney Woolridge, and Harper Woolridge; one doting brother, Myles Woolridge; nieces, Logan and Yara Clay; loving grandmothers, Dionne McPherson and Gwen Wheeler (Dee); grandfather, Manuel Sabater (Naomi); uncles, James McPherson, Robert Baker (Pang), David Powell, Steven Enoch (Michelle), Khalid Sabater, Jahi Sabater, and Anthony Sabater; aunt, Indra Graves; great uncles, Reggie McPherson, Edwin McPherson (Mary), Alton Darden; brothers and a sister from another mother, Zarelle, Will, Quentin, Malek, Mike W., Christian R., Adam M., and Lydia; bonus family friends Arnetrice, Craig, Marvin, and Sug; Sandy and Ryan; birthday buddy, Gerri McCottrell; godbrother, Dennis Butler; godsister, Courtney Butler, and a host of cousins, friends and family.
Julian's Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 3:00 pm at North Hills Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO.