Julie Dawn Spallholz

Julie Dawn Spallholz: A Life Lived

October 17, 1969 - October 17, 2025

Julie Dawn Spallholz passed away at the age of 56 on Friday, October 17, 2025, at her home. She was surrounded by her devoted family.

A memorial service to celebrate Julie's life will be held at 10:30 AM on November 1st, 2025, at Melonie Park Church in Lubbock with Jeff Oldham presiding.

Early Life and Career

Julie was born on October 17, 1969, in Lubbock, Texas, to Jim and Linda Bednarz, who resided in Slaton, Texas. A proud alumna of Slaton High School, she served in the Office of Secretary of her freshman class and contributed as a representative in The Student Congress. Julie graduated in 1988, having dedicated her time to the concert and marching bands, where she played the flute. First chair of course! Her high school years also included participation in Theatre, FHA and Tennis.

Following graduation, Julie attended Texas Tech University, working concurrently at her grandfather's store, Gill Furr's. She later pursued her education at South Plains College, earning an Associate Degree. During this time she was employed by The Olive Garden (her love of chicken parm and angel hair never faded).

Julie eventually joined Texas Tech University, where she initially worked in Purchasing. She ultimately transitioned into IT and was employed by the Institutional Research Department, a role where she oversaw the data analytics and reporting aspects of the degree management program and later was the lead for IPEDS and concluded her career as a Senior Research Specialist. Julie also cultivated relationships with colleagues that became lifelong friendships.

Family and Interests

On June 26, 1999, Julie married the love of her life, Brian Spallholz in a beautiful ceremony held in the Flagstaff Mountain Amphitheatre in Boulder, Colorado. The couple settled in Lubbock, Texas, where they raised their two children, Andrew and Sarah.

Julie's wide-ranging interests kept her busy and creative. She enjoyed volunteering, taking on home remodeling projects, tackling challenging puzzles, working in the yard, engaging in small woodworking projects, and traveling. She was actively involved in Scouting America. Julie was an active and integral part of Pack 536, Troop 157 and the South Plains Council. She is a Woodbadge Fox, she organized the first Super NOVA STEM curriculum for the council. She contributed to Cubsout Pack 127 in Slaton, TX and Troop 174 at the Vocational Transition Center and was a member of Melonie Park Church.

Her church family took on a very special role during the last few years. Becoming a place of peace and joy when times were rough and the future uncertain. She looked forward to Sunday School and her small group getting together during the week. Julie's friend circle was large and grew with everyone she met.
A truly generous and compassionate person, giving both time and treasure, Julie touched the lives of many in the community. She had a memorable, winning smile that naturally drew people to her.

Legacy

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Linda Bednarz, and her grandparents, Walter and Marie Bednarz and Joe and Imogene Gill.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband, Brian Spallholz, her children, Andrew and Sarah.

She is survived by her in-laws, Eleanor Spallholz, Dr. Julian Spallholz and his wife, Dr. Mallory Boylan, and her sisters, Sherry Rushing, Nancy Antcliff, her husband Doug and Jennifer Hamilton, her husband John, along with their children and grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jana Spallholz, her husband Erik, and their daughter Annika, as well as other cherished family members.

"To leave a legacy is to demonstrate that a life well-lived never truly ends. It exists in the values we pass down, the kindness we model, and the beautiful way our memory compels others to be their best selves." -unknown

Acknowledgements

Julie's family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care rendered by Amedisys/UMC Hospice of Lubbock, whose support allowed Julie to spend her final weeks peacefully at home with her family.

The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to extended family and friends for their words of encouragement and acts of kindness throughout this difficult time.

A special thank you to the Willed Body Program at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center for the caring help during a difficult time. Julie wanted her body to help promote science that one day that both science and medicine would have a better understanding of the human body so a cure or better treatments would be available for Cancer and Epilepsy patients around the world.

In lieu of flowers, a 501(c)(3) endowment has been established in the loving memory of Julie and will be administered by the children she raised to carry on her spirit and commitment to service above self.

If you would like to contribute to the fund, additional information will be available at the memorial. A link will be posted here after the memorial.

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