Julene “Julie” Marie Bannon, 85, of Dana Point, California, died peacefully on January 11, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 30, 1940, in Hays, Kansas, to Leo and Marie Harting.

Julie grew up in small Kansas towns, moving often as her father worked as a schoolteacher. He later took a position at Boeing in Wichita, and the family settled in nearby Augusta. Julie played organ and piano at her Lutheran church, where her father served as choir director. Her sister Sonja remembers Julie as social and welcoming, always surrounded by friends and eager to include her younger sister. A school trip to Washington, D.C., during her high school years sparked an early and lasting curiosity about history, culture, and the wider world. She graduated from Augusta High School in 1958 and then attended classes at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas.

After high school, Julie worked as a drug store clerk and ran a soda fountain in a small Kansas town near Wichita. There, she met a young salesman, named Gary Arvy Bannon, who worked at a nearby shoe store. They began dating and, in 1960, Julie and Gary married. Their 64-year marriage reflected resilience, partnership, and an enduring commitment to family. After marrying, Julie held a position with an oil and gas company in Wichita, where daughter, Kimberly, was born in 1962, and son, Michael, was born in 1966. In the early 1970s, the family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where Gary launched a business, and son Patrick was born in 1973.

Julie was a steady and devoted mother, present in countless quiet ways. She was a talented cook, an intensely competitive Scrabble player, and an unapologetic lover of ice cream. She kept a meticulous home, carried a dry sense of humor, and read constantly. She possessed an expansive vocabulary and a broad intellectual curiosity. One of her most cherished novels was Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

In 1988, Julie and Gary moved to Glendora in Southern California with Patrick and their beloved Bichon Frise, Nikki. They became active members of Glenkirk Church and built a wide circle of close friends. In the late 1990s, they relocated to La Verne, where they lived for the next 20 years. Julie held positions at Citrus College and later spent 15 years on staff in the dean’s office of the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University, earning deep respect from colleagues and friends. While on staff at APU, Julie also completed her bachelor’s degree.

In later years, Julie and Gary traveled extensively, including throughout Europe and the Holy Land, to Greece, the Caribbean, and on several trips to Hawaii, as well as on many adventures along the California coast. They also took their grandchildren on memorable trips to Washington, D.C. She developed an appreciation for a well-poured glass of Chardonnay, loved red cars and ultimately drove a red hybrid Camry.

Julie and Gary later moved to Dana Point, where they built new routines, enjoyed regular time with family and grandchildren, navigated health transitions, and expanded their circle of friends. Gary passed away in 2024.

Julie remained punctual, thoughtful, and curious, adapting to vision and hearing loss. She was an excellent listener – observant, perceptive, and quietly discerning. She was deeply loved by her friends and, above all, by her family.

Julie is survived by her sister Sonja Harting; her daughter, Kimberly Jones (David) of Dana Point; her sons, Michael Bannon (Cyndi) of Escondido and Patrick Bannon (Sunni) of Kirkland, Washington; her grandchildren, Ian Jones, Brooke Mizelle (Justin), Eric Jones, Ryan Bannon, John Bannon, and Clara Bannon; her nieces and nephews, Heidi Young, Eric Samarrai, Michelle Sitton, Kevin Reheis, Paula Rae Torrance, and Katy Robbins; and many dear friends and caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Julie’s memory to the Braille Institute.