Julian Buchanan Wells Jr of Brentwood passed away April 23 2026.
He was born December 19, 1937 in Columbia, Tennessee, to Julian Buchanan Wells Sr and Sara “Sally” Pillow Cowie Wells, and was preceded by his beloved wife of 50 years, Zoë Forrest Leufkens Wells.
He graduated Columbia Military Academy and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959 as a private. Selected for language training, he studied Chinese at Yale University for the Air Force Security Service. He earned a BA in Political Science from San Francisco State University, served as an intelligence officer, and completed an MS in International Affairs from Southern Illinois University. His career included Vietnam tours and assignments across Asia, Europe, and the United States. He received the Bronze Star and numerous commendations. He retired in 1979 as a Major, declining promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, and moved with Zoë to Brentwood.
Following his military service, Julian worked in Nashville as Director of Personnel for Tennessee Department of Mental Health, then as a management consultant. He later owned a home medical equipment business in Columbia serving nine Middle Tennessee counties and founded CareNet of Tennessee, a statewide network of similar businesses. He was active in the Kiwanis Club of Columbia.
Longtime resident of Brentwood for 48 years, he was engaged in civic life, Brentwood Country Club, and organized Senior Golfers. He was a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church and Genesis Class.
He enjoyed dancing with Zoë, traveling, golf at St Andrews, hole in one, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, and visiting Normandy for the 75th D-Day anniversary in 2019.
He is survived by children Catherine Zoë Ariemma (Johnny), Julian B. Wells III, Elizabeth Marie Wells, and Richard Forrest Wells Sr. (Kathy); grandchildren, great-grandchildren; siblings Trammell Pillow Wells (Lynn), Mary Pillow Kirk; many nieces and nephews.
