Julie Korek

 With sad hearts, friends and family said goodbye to Julie Korek my loving partner and best friend for 36 years. She passed away on September 1, 2024, at Texas Health Harris Hurst-Euless-Bedford Hospital from anoxic brain injury due to a heart attack brought on by complications of myotonic dystrophy which she had her whole adult life. She was 61 and will be dearly missed. 

 Julie was born on February 27, 1963 in Houston Texas to Richard and Joan (Pelican) Korek. She grew up in Overland Park Kansas and graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School class of 1981 where she served as a Cadet Lieutenant Company Commander and Rifle team commander in Navy Junior ROTC. Julie participated and competed in Judo and earned a brown belt. Selected as a foreign exchange student, she spent a summer in El Salvador where she made lifelong friends. Julie went on to complete a couple of years of college and moved to Texas in 1985 where we would meet in 1988 and begin sharing a life.

 Julie had many interests. She was an expert swimmer and instructor in all levels. She along with her sisters and mother had a business teaching swimming while living in Kanas. She could strike up a conversation with anyone excited to get to know a new friend if they could appreciate a dry and sarcastic humor. Julie was a voracious reader and book lover collecting series of science fiction fantasy. Great with kids and always willing to share her passions, she enjoyed going to watch the Dallas Wings or any sporting event. We would attend musical theater as much as possible. She loved to sing her favorite songs at church. Above all she loved playing games and cards with friends and family. Up for anything she would not let the myotonic dystrophy stop her, always doing the best with what she had.

After moving to Texas Julie worked as a Security Officer for Mervyn's Department store, Driving Instructor at Sears and a Correctional Officer at Wackenhut Correctional until she had to resign because of the myotonic dystrophy. 

 Julie was the kindest, strongest, and most unselfish person I've known. As a final act of kindness, she gave other people a second chance at life as an organ donor. I will always miss her. She will be forever with me. Julie was my Home.

 Julie is predeceased by Father, Richard Korek and sister, Patrice Rollins.

 Survived by: Life Partner, Melissa Angle; Mother, Joan Korek; Sister, Deb Eastman Price and brother-in-law, Mike Price; Brother in-law Jay Rollins.