The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Dec. 15, 1963 - Sept. 10, 2021

Julie Ann (Dimick) Lafayette, 57, of Gervais, passed away suddenly on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

Julie was born Dec. 14, 1963, in Lebanon to William and Bonnie (Denver) Dimick of Sweet Home.

She had a big family that included 12 brothers and sisters that all grew up in Sweet Home.

Julie really excelled in her schooling through Sweet Home High school and continued on to Western Oregon University. She graduated with a master's in administration in K-12 as well as having a great cross-country and track career.

She went on to teach in Woodburn, Madras, and later became a vice principal in Lincoln City.

In 2010 she was named Vice Principal of the Year for the state of Oregon, which put her in the running to go to Washington, D.C.

Julie was only a couple of credits away from getting her doctorate in education. She loved teaching and helping make better education in schools.

She is a published author of "The Politically Driven Demise of American Children,'' which was a lesson and workbook to help reset political-social norms for media, leaders, parents, and more.

Julie was excellent at her career and enjoyed her job in education.

On June 4, 1988, Julie married Mark Lafayette and they were blessed with two children, Luke and Amber Lafayette.

Julie enjoyed traveling and taking the kids to the coast for adventures all the time. She had a huge part in her grandchildren's, Leah, Landon and Lauren, lives from countless hours of taking care of them, to Disneyland trips.

Julie always put her family first and had a big heart for those who she loved. The last few years have been surrounded with her pride and joy, of being the best Nana there is to be for her grandchildren, who will be very missed and loved by.

Julie was survived by her children, Luke Lafayette of Keizer, and Amber Lafayette of Buhl, Idaho; mother Bonnie Dimick of Sweet Home; former spouse Mark Lafayette of Dallas; grandchildren Leah Lafayette, Landon Lafayette, and Lauren Lafayette, all of Salem; brothers Lester (Diana), Randy, and Jack Dimick, all of Sweet Home, Rick (Tammy) Dimick of Lacomb and Mark Dimick of Corvallis; sisters Linda Dimick of Montana, Shirley Austin of Brownsville, Jani (Bob) Tydings of New York, Eileen (Dennis) Olson of California, and Tammy (Jonathen) Lorenzen of Eugene.

Julie was preceded in death by her father, William H. Dimick; brother Harley (Danny) Dimick; and sister Jan (Rick) Holder of Sweet Home.

A graveside service was held Sept. 20, 2021 at Gilliland Cemetery.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.