Mr. Julius McLeod, 72, of Olympia, Washington (formerly of Southern Pines) entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 31, 2025, in Olympia, WA.

Julius McLeod was born to the late George and Odessa McLeod on July 28, 1952, in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He grew up in Southern Pines, North Carolina, on the “West side.” He attended  both Southern Pines Elementary and Middle School and Pinecrest High School. 

Growing up on the West Side of Southern Pines, Julius worked many jobs. You could really call him a “jack of all trades.” He worked at Stanley Furniture Factory in West End, NC, where he met  and was swept off his feet by a green-eyed beauty named Balarie Wike. On March 1, 1980, Julius and Balarie were married and recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Julius and  Balarie welcomed two children, Dyanna and Marcus, to this union. 

Beyond being the hardworking man of all trades, you could always find Julius spending hours upon hours filling the house with music. At any moment, he would find the chance to share a song, a melody, and the never-ending sounds of Sade, Kenny G, Dave Koz, or Earth, Wind, and Fire, to name a few. And he was sure to play them over and over and over. Julius was your guy if you  needed a DJ, a new playlist, or “a new to you but old to him” song to listen to. 

Julius joined the United States Army in April of 1980, serving 25 and a half years doing exactly what he loved, ANYTHING Military. He served in several different positions, such as Truck Master,  82nd Airborne, and Drill Sergeant, to name a few. Julius received many different awards and medals, such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd  Award), the Army Achievement Award (3rd Award), the Army Good Conduct Award (8th Award), the National Defense Service Award (2nd Award), Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, and the Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3. After his retirement as a First Sergeant in 2005, Julius and his family settled in Olympia, Washington.

Even with his retirement from the Army, Julius continued to work. When asked why he was not enjoying retirement, he would state, “I’m not sitting down! When you sit down, you get old. I ain’t no old man!” His last job, where he took so much pride, was at Embassy Suites in Tukwila, Washington, where he spent twelve years. During his employment there, Julius received numerous  awards, including Team Member of the Year for 2022 and Employee of The Month, on two separate occasions. Not to mention the countless times he brought home gift cards and certificates.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Amos, and Baby Donna (infant sister).

Julius leaves to cherish his fond memories, a beloved wife, Balarie, of the home; a daughter, Dyanna; a son, Marcus; a beloved brother-in-law, Norris Wike (Patrice) of Chesapeake, VA, a little  sister-in-law,daughter, Samantha of the home; two brothers, Ralph (Margaret) and Tony, both of Aberdeen, NC; one sister, Linda Wike of Southern Pines, NC; other brothers-in-law, George Wike  of Aberdeen, Johnny (Bernice), and Clinton (Bertha) of Maryland; six granddaughters, JoHanna of NC, Harmony, Bry’Ahja, and Ja’Mya all of Washington, and Anais and Vitani of Florida; one  grandson, Nyrii of the home, and one grandson to be born in June, Kairo; a lifelong friend and fellow Battle Brother, Jimmy Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Julius will be missed by everyone who knew him. His smile, soft-spoken voice, unless you were talking military, and his compassion for doing a great job, no matter what he was doing, will always be cherished. To know him was to genuinely love him.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Julius McLeod in your thoughts and prayers. 

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.