News Summary
Julia Vakos Nordstrom, a cherished educator and community leader from Williamsburg, has passed away at the age of 89. Known for her significant contributions to education and local history, Julia leaves behind a legacy of dedication and love for her community. She was an advocate for education, preserving local history, and supporting her family and community through various endeavors. Her family, including her husband and four children, continue to honor her memory. Friends are invited to share condolences and contributions in her name.
Williamsburg – Julia Vakos Nordstrom, a respected educator and community leader, passed away at the age of 89 on August 10, 2025. Her death marks the end of a remarkable life filled with contributions to education, local history, and her community.
Born in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, Julia was the daughter of William J. Vakos and Mary Ellamae Hall Vakos and the middle child in a family of 11 siblings. She spent her childhood in Virginia Beach where she fondly recalled swimming in the ocean and searching for coins on the boardwalk after hurricanes. Julia’s early years also included helping run her family’s pharmacy and enjoying comic books and ice cream floats during her leisure time.
Julia’s educational journey culminated in her graduation from the College of William & Mary in 1958, where she earned a double major in business and education. Later, she obtained her library science certification from Old Dominion University. Her skills were crucial in modernizing the Northampton County Public School library system, a contribution that greatly benefited local students.
While at college, Julia met her future husband, Marine 1st Lt. Clyde V. Nordstrom Jr. The couple married and shared a partnership lasting 67 years, raising five children together on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Julia and Clyde co-founded The Nordstrom Oil Co. and a property rental business, working together in both family and business settings.
A dedicated member of her community, Julia actively participated in her children’s school and served as a Sunday School teacher at Franktown United Methodist Church. She also ran a small bookstore named The Book and Hobby Shop, often bartering art supplies for local artwork. In a testament to her resourcefulness and adaptability, Julia taught herself computer coding and developed a billing system for the oil company at a time when such technology was not readily available.
Julia was a passionate writer who authored numerous plays and a pictorial history book titled “The Eastern Shore of Virginia in Days Past.” Her love for history extended to her involvement in the preservation of several historic buildings in the region, including the 1910 Turner House, the 1776 Melville Colonial Kitchen, and the 1890 Victorian Armistead House.
Following her retirement, Julia and Clyde embraced the snowbird lifestyle, spending half of the year in Anna Maria Island, Florida, and returning to the Eastern Shore before eventually settling in Williamsburg. Their family continued to grow, with Julia having been preceded in death by her son, Clyde “Chip” William Nordstrom, and several siblings. She is survived by her husband, Clyde Vernon, and four children: Dennis Nordstrom (Hawaii), Michael Nordstrom (Indiana), Wendy Kokolis (Florida), and Judy Bono (Williamsburg). Julia was also a proud grandmother to 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Julia will be held at Franktown United Methodist Church on August 26 at 2 p.m., followed by a brief graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The College of William & Mary Alumni Association and Broadwater Academy. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to share their condolences online through Doughty Funeral Home’s website.
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Additional Resources
- Eastern Shore Post: Julia Nordstrom
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- Legacy: Rausch Sandlas Obituary
- Google Search: Julia Nordstrom
- Eastern Shore Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
