Julian R. Varela

Julian R. Varela, 49, of Taos passed away on December 29, 2011. Julians time was tragically cut short because of a traffic accident. He is predeceased by his brother Conner R. Quintana. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Marci Beatty, his daughters Hannah & Mary Margaret Varela, all of Taos. He is also survived by his mother Susan Macdonell & her husband Tom of Santa Fe, his father Frank Varela of Albuquerque, his god-mother Kathryn Hamilton and god-son Ryan Varela (Heather Tausch), his brothers Dr. Charles D. Varela (Debra) and Frank Jacob Varela (Gretel Wananmacher), his sisters Roberta S. Pillado and Gabriela Lucero-Rogers (Jay), as well as a large extended family in Pecos, Santa Fe & Taos. Julian was a graduate of NM Military Institute, achieved an undergraduate degree in Accounting at the University of Texas at Arlington, then went on to earn a Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of New Mexico Law School. He later returned to studies at the University of Denver earning a LLM in Taxation and Estate Planning. He was a member of the State Bars of New Mexico & Colorado and practiced law in Taos and Northern New Mexico for 18 years. He was a former Probate Judge in Taos County. He was a member of Rotary International, a scholar, and he was a great humanitarian, sponsoring poverty-stricken children in foreign countries such as Thailand and Cambodia. He was proud to be a liberal Democrat. He was also the best lawyer you could hope to have represented you in court. Julian loved the outdoors, no matter what the weather was, for hiking, running, camping or just relaxing by a river or spring. Traveling and learning about different cultures was his passion. He was a great skier and an avid rider of motorcycles. He loved all kinds of music especially Country and Western (Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard), Rock and Roll (AC-DC, Bruce Springsteen and Kid Rock), and folk (John Denver and Gordon Lightfoot), just to name a few. He loved to sing and dance, no matter what the occasion. He had the ability to get along with anyone. He loved to read and write and his writing skills were powerful. He took his job as a lawyer very seriously, but also seriously knew how to have a good time. He had a fantastic sense of humor, and his kids used to say that he had to come to their childhood parties because he would bring the fun. Julian was a devoted husband and father. His daughters and wife were his best friends, and he had many other good friends. He taught his daughters something new everyday. He was a mentor to everyone he knew in different ways. The light of his spirit was that of one of a kind, and he was never afraid to try new things. He loved making the people around him smile. He loved his family and friends more than anything and enjoyed spending time with them. He will be greatly missed by many whose lives he touched. There was a memorial service held at the river on January 6, 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to the Mary-Margaret and Hannah Varela College Fund at Peoples Bank.