Biography:

Julia “Julie” Clare Wood Truemper, wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2026, at the age of 95.

Julie was born on March 25, 1931, to Frederica and Zack T. Wood. She was the granddaughter of Julia M. Rutland and Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Wood of Tillar, Arkansas.

On November 21, 1956, Julie married the love of her life, John J. Truemper Jr. Together they shared 60 years of marriage until John's passing in December 2016. Their home was filled with love, laughter, family, and lifelong friendships.

Julie graduated from Little Rock Senior High School in 1949. She attended William Woods Junior College in Fulton, Missouri, before earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1953. She was a proud member of Chi Omega Fraternity and began her career teaching kindergarten at the Little Red School House on Kavanaugh Boulevard in Little Rock.

Julie generously gave her time throughout her life. She was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church and The Junior League of Little Rock.  She was a Room Mother, Cub Scout Leader, Den Mother, and Brownie Scout leader. Julie was the first chair of Vineyard in the Park at the Arkansas Arts Center. Julie co-founded Kids Stuff, a children's retail shop in Hillcrest, with a group of friends, and was a longtime member of the Little Rock Country Club.

Family was the center of Julie's world. For more than 60 summers, generations of family gathered at Blue Hole, the cherished log cabin and swimming hole in Ferndale built by her father. Countless memories were made there swimming, laughing, feeding the catfish and turtles, and enjoying one another's company. She and John also enjoyed 26 winters in Sanibel Island, Florida, where they loved collecting seashells, walking the beaches, and welcoming family and friends. Julie also found joy in cooking, traveling, reading, working crossword puzzles, hosting dinner parties, and creating a warm, welcoming home for everyone around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Zack T. Wood Jr., and his wife, Gloria; and her beloved husband, John J. Truemper Jr.

She is survived by her children, Woody Truemper (Leslie), Jack Truemper (Leslie), and Ann Rogers (Brandon); Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren: Zach (Pam), John (Julia), Leigh (Dillon), Katy, Sam, Clare, Eliza (Axel), Ashton (Connor), Abby, and Forest and her treasured great-grandchildren: Zachary, Jade, Wayne, NeNe, Will, Mattie, and Betty, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and generosity.

Julie's family is especially grateful for the extraordinary love and care she received from her granddaughter, roommate, and namesake, Clare Penick; Shelia Grind; Cynthia Johnson; Cleora Lowe; Tabitha Clark; her faithful granddog, Banjo; and the compassionate staff of LifeTouch Health (Arkansas Hospice) whose kindness allowed Julie to spend her final days surrounded by comfort, dignity, and love.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will follow from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham Street, Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Julie's honor to Saint Mark's Episcopal Church of Little Rock, LifeTouch Health (Arkansas Hospice), or the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Julie's unconditional love lives on through the generations of her family. Her warmth, elegance, adventurous spirit, and kind heart will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved her.