Julian Earl Baggett, beloved father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle, age 87, of Indianapolis, IN, died of cancer in his home on July 12, 2021. Julian was born on July 24, 1933 in Brewton, Alabama to Nicholas and Ludie (Darley) Baggett. Julian was one of eleven children born to Nicholas and Ludie, and grew up on a farm just outside of Brewton. When he was 18, he joined the Army and proudly served as a tank mechanic stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Julian came to Michigan to work at the Ford plant with his father. He worked there for one year before deciding to attend Michigan State University where he obtained his degree in Forestry. In 1959, Julian married Elizabeth Ann (Miller) Baggett, and in 1967 they adopted a daughter, Suzanne Elizabeth Baggett. Julian and Ann were married for 25 years. Julian was a devoted husband and father, and worked as the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor for Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis until 1980, when he was diagnosed with late onset schizophrenia. He was hospitalized for the better part of the next 10 years, and in 1991 he came to live with his daughter, Suzanne. Suzanne’s three children, Hailey, Grace, and Frank grew up with their “papa” as part of their immediate family, and the bond between all of them was special. Julian would often be found reading. He loved comic and other books, as reading was one of his favorite pastimes. He also had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing Christian hymns. Julian battled schizophrenia and continued to live with his daughter for the remainder of his life. He was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, and a true prayer warrior. He prayed out loud every night – for his family, his brothers and sisters in Christ, his country, and for all those suffering in the world. He was deeply loved by his siblings and their spouses, his daughter and her husband , his 3 grandchildren, his 24 nieces and nephews, and will be deeply missed. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Ed Baggett, Allen Baggett, and two twin infant boys, by his sisters, Cassie Bell Baggett, Nettie (Baggett) Schultz, and Shirley Ann (Baggett) Reddy, his brothers-in-law, Mott Schultz, Gene Austin, Billy Cranford, and Jack Reddy, by his sisters-in-law, Catherine (Ed) Baggett, Elsie (Allen) Baggett, and Oneta (Nick) Baggett, by his Granddaughter, Emma Elizabeth Bothwell (infant child of his daughter, Suzanne), and by 5 nieces and nephews. He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Halterman and her husband, Jim Halterman, by his grandchildren, Hailey (Nathan) Stuhr, Grace (Mike Shen)Bothwell, and Frank Bothwell, by his sisters Christine (Baggett) Cranford, Gladys (Baggett) Porter, by his bother Nick (Oneta) Baggett, and by 19 nieces and nephews. He will be forever loved and remembered as the father and grandfather who loved unconditionally, the uncle who told the best stories and taught many of his nieces and nephews (not to mention his daughter at age 5!) to play chess, and as the master of Christmastime Monopoly Marathons with all the kids. Julian’s wishes were to be cremated and to hold an online memorial in hopes that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be sent to Shults Lewis Child and Family Services, Inc. PO Box 471, Valporaiso, IN, 46348. (219) 462-0513 www.shultslewis.org
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