Judine Young Wilks (Tulia)

Judine Young Wilks, 87, beloved mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Judine was born in Tulia, Texas to L.D. and Annie Young on June 9, 1938 and graduated from Kress High School in 1957. In high school, she was very active in athletics and clubs earning Best All-Around Athlete, class favorite, and class queen.

She loved Tulia and Swisher County and was very active in the Methodist church and the community throughout her life. In 2007, Judine and her husband, Dennis, received the Swisher County Friends of 4-H Award, an honor earned from life-long club involvement and over 60 years serving as a 4-H Adult Leader. In 2009, she was honored as Tulia's Woman of the Year, a recognition that highlighted her commitment to the community through service and leadership.

Through her years of work as secretary for Tulia High School, she made many life-long friends and touched countless lives with her kindness, understanding, and encouragement. She was a big fan of the Hornets and Red Raiders and was a steady presence for many years at Tulia basketball games.

Outside of her work, church, and community service, Judine found great joy in gardening and meticulously manicuring her "yard". Her garden reflected her own nurturing spirit - full of beauty, warmth, patience, and care. Whether tending flowers, sharing plants with friends, or simply enjoying time outdoors, gardening brought her peace and happiness throughout her life.

Family was most important to Judine, and she was very proud of her children, grandchildren, great-grandson, nieces, and nephews. She loved supporting them at events and cheering at their games but received the most joy and fulfillment from watching them and their families grow.

Her warm smile, dry humor, servant's heart, and steady faith made people feel welcome and valued. She loved to talk and laugh with her friends, and they were very important to her as she treasured them all.

Judine's final two years were spent in Henrietta, TX with her granddaughter, Annie, and family where she made fast friends with her loving spirit. Her dry humor and quick wit remained for her caregivers, family, and friends to experience to the end. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love will remain in our hearts forever.

She is survived by her sons, James Avent of Canyon, and Todd Montandon and wife Melissa of Canyon; and daughter, Katie Montandon Wolf and husband Steve of Roaring Springs; step-children, Jeff Wilks and his wife Pam of Tulia and their children Sara, Jay Keith, and Slade; Kathryn Britain and her husband Mark of Amarillo and son, Nicholas; and John David Wilks and wife Dena of Lampasas; her grandchildren, Annie Wolf Sims and husband Daryn of Henrietta, TX , Stefanie Wolf Godde and husband Zach of Fairview, OK, and Lilly and Sam Montandon of Canyon, TX; and great-grandson, Charles Stratton Godde of Fairview, OK. She is also survived by her brother, Stanley Young of Lubbock, TX and sister-in-law, Susan Young of College Station, TX; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, L.D. and Annie Young; best friend and husband, Dennis Wilks; husband, James Montandon, and husband, Thoran Avent; and her siblings, Maxine Young Carter, Boyd Young, and Melvin Young.

The family will receive friends between 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026 at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Henrietta. A celebration of Judine's life will be held at First Methodist Church in Tulia on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Ernie McGaughey and Pastor Scott Keener, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, and Kornerstone Funeral Home in Tulia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Swisher County 4-H Fund (806) 995-3726.