Dee Jo Fulton

is honored with a Brick from Holly Howell, Anna Cox, Jeff Ramey, Eva Stockdale

    Diana Jo "Dee Jo" Ramey Fulton grew up in Dodge City Kansas, the middle of five children. She graduated from Midwest Christian College in Oklahoma City, and became a church secretary in Wichita. She shared her love of music with her church family, often serving as violin soloist.
   Dee Jo met the love of her life, Mike Fulton, and they were married in 1967. After completing his term in the military, they returned to Wichita. Dee Jo worked for the Veterans' Administration until she and Mike started their family. After their sons Joel and Luke were born, she became interested in social work while working with handicapped children in the Wichita Public Schools. She earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and devoted the remainder of her working years to helping special needs children. She also helped others through working the Suicide Prevention Hotline on weekends.
   Dee Jo had a wicked sense of humor and an excellent memory. Her family and friends remember her for being outrageously funny when playing charades and her love of practical jokes, both playing jokes on her friends and having jokes played on her. We miss her annual holiday gift of homemade pfeffernusse.
   What was special about Dee Jo? She had grit and determination. She struggled with depression and at the same time went back to school and earned a Masters Degree in social work. She did this while working full time, undergoing hip replacement surgery and taking care of her family.
   She always had a strong desire to help others. She made a friend of everyone she met and was always interested in their families and what was going on in their lives. Her interest made everyone she knew feel special. Even after she became ill, her main concern was her family and friends, and she maintained her sense of humor through it all. The memory of her gentle spirit helps us to remember the words of Mr. Rogers, "The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self."