Julia Eidam Obituary

Julia Eidam

JOHNSON CITY - Julia Eidam, 88, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away after a long and adventure-filled life.

Born in Parrottsville, she was raised in the Boones Creek community of Washington County. Julia graduated from Jonesboro High School and attended East Tennessee State College before beginning a life defined by resilience, curiosity, and love.

In 1958, Julia married Doyle Haren and soon moved to Haywood County, North Carolina, where she would make her home for the next 65 years. Over the course of her career, she worked for Tennessee Eastman Company, American Enka, and First Union and First Citizens banks. She and Doyle shared 30 years of marriage before his passing.

Julia later married Benjamin Eidam, and together they spent 12 joyful years traveling the world. After Ben's passing, Julia continued exploring with her family. Her zest for life took her across the globe: hang gliding in Brazil at age 75; hiking waterfalls in Hawaii; soaring in a hot air balloon and swimming the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; riding a luge in New Zealand; climbing Machu Picchu in Peru; wandering the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico; marveling at glaciers in Alaska; and embarking on numerous cruises that took her to various parts of the world. She especially cherished time spent at the beach. Wherever she went, her travels were lovingly captured in her meticulously crafted scrapbooks.

Julia found beauty in the world not only through travel, but also through her creativity. Later in life, she discovered a talent for oil painting that enriched her life for many years. She was also a competitive card player, and a voracious reader with a quick wit and a deep appreciation for a good joke.

She returned to Washington County in 2023 to be closer to her extended family.

Julia is preceded in death by her husbands, Doyle Haren of Clyde, NC, and Benjamin Eidam of Lake Junaluska, NC; sister, Elizabeth Eisenhower McCue, and brother-in-law John McCue of Johnson City, TN.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Haren of Platteville, Colorado; daughter, Maria Reitan and husband Douglas of Exeter, New Hampshire; son, Don Eidam and wife Susie of Marietta, Georgia; sister, Regina Davis and husband Bobby of Jonesborough, Tennessee; sister, Eva Garst and husband Larry of Johnson City, Tennessee; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Julia lived her life with spirited curiosity, resiliency and courage, and deep affection for her family. Her legacy will live on in the memories she created, the art she painted, and the stories she leaves behind.

A celebration of life is planned for early 2026.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com.

Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Eidam family (423-610-7171).