Chris and Julie Fordyce
Counting our blessings is not something that always comes naturally. Despite the various challenges throughout life, Chris and Julie continue to inspire others through their belief in a happy and strong family.
Julie was born to Bob and Zel Young in South Bend, Indiana on February 14th, 1954. She had two brothers, Kirk and Doug Young. Although she was born in South Bend, Julie spent most of her childhood in rural Southern Indiana in the small town of Scottsburg.
“My family lived in town so we always had neighboring kids coming in & out of our house. We played a lot of softball & rode our bikes all over the neighborhood,” she recalls. When she entered her teenage years, Julie began her first job at Hancock’s Drug Store working behind the pharmacy counter and the soda fountain. Upon graduating from Scottsburg High School, Julie landed herself a job at Scott County State Bank in the bookkeeping department for a couple years before advancing to the teller position. “Back then we had to do everything on machines. I worked there for 15 years before leaving to take care of our kids,” she said. Subsequently, Julie worked for Salem Community Schools as a Title I assistant for 14 years until the arrival of her first grandchild, Cally.
On the night of Thanksgiving in 1976, Julie met her future husband at a gas station in Scottsburg. “Her Dad was a state cop but I wasn’t scared to go up and talk to her while he was sitting there watching,” Chris chuckled. A year later, the couple married on December 9th, 1977.
Chris was born in Salem, Indiana on June 15th, 1955 to Ralph and Doris Fordyce. He has one sister, Jana Ewen. Growing up, he was an athlete and played basketball and football at Salem High School. Chris also spent a great deal of time helping his grandparents on their crop and livestock farm. Following graduation, he continued his studies at Purdue University and graduated in 1977 with a degree in Animal Sciences. He remembers his intention of becoming a veterinarian but soon found his passion for farming as he would drive from West Lafayette to Salem every weekend to help with the family farm.
A family-farm operator for 42 years, Chris has been a lifelong resident of Washington County. “I have never thought about moving not just because of the farm, but also the people and surroundings,” he said. Julie added, “When I first moved here, I didn’t know very many people but soon met new friends. I enjoy watching this town grow and like how you don’t have to go out of town for everything.”
In February of 1983, the sudden passing of Julie’s father, an Indiana State Policeman who had just retired a few months before, left the family in a state of shock and grief. “This was very devastating to our family,” Julie said. Soon after his passing, Julie’s mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and went through chemotherapy. However, cancer took her life in 1988. Yet another devastating event in the family. “Then my younger brother passed away after a major heart attack on Christmas Day in 2002. Several years later, my older brother suffered a bad stroke and passed away in April 2011,” Julie said. Despite the many traumatic experiences, Julie grasped onto faith and with the help of family, she transmuted grief into positive change. She always told others “I think God kept the kids near us because he took my mom, Dad and two brothers way too early!”
“Chris and I have been so blessed to have two wonderful children who have stayed here in Salem to work and raise their families which makes us very happy that we can help them whenever they need us,” Julie said. She added on, “They both know what hard work is and aren’t afraid of helping in anyways!” They have two children, Christy and Aaron, as well as four grandchildren; Cally, Case, Connor, and Liam.
As active members of Blue River Friends Church in Salem, faith has served as an important factor in their lives. “My family and friends along with my faith have made me the person I am today. I’m blessed beyond means,” Julie stated. She further added, “The thing I enjoy and cherish with all my life is my grandchildren. They are the LOVES of our lives!”
With their kids grown and their grandchildren close by, Sunday dinners after church are a must for the family. “I think our biggest accomplishment is raising our beautiful family to the outstanding people in our community and keeping all of our family close,” Julie stated. Chris added, “They are just all around good kids. Keeping the farm together and doing the right things are values we all live by.”
Outside work, Chris serves as a director of the First Savings Financial Group, Inc. since 2017 and of First Savings Bank since 2009. In addition, he also serves on the board for East Washington Rural Water and a supervisor for Washington County Soil and Water Conservation. The couple enjoys spending time with their grandchildren. Julie commented, “When my granddaughter Cally was born, we LOVED to scrapbook!” She continues, “I have a book for her from birth to around five or six years old when the boys were born.”
For three years, Chris served on the Board of Directors for the Washington County Community Foundation. The Chris and Julie Fordyce Touch Tomorrow Fund was established in 2015. Through their generosity, the fund is created in hopes of addressing the needs of the community along with helping future generations achieve their potential. Combining the principles of faith and family, Chris and Julie continue to exhibit their love for the community for good, forever, in Washington County.
