James Russell Justice, 71, Lagro, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters on October 24, 2023. The son of Joe and Anna “Annie” (Johnson) Justice, James was born in Prestonsburg, Kentucky on April 22, 1952.
A gifted, self-taught mechanic, James worked on everything from small engines to diesels. For much of his fifty-three-year career, James was employed at his brother John’s company, Justice Auto Sales on Stitt Street in Wabash. Though he retired in 2014, he still enjoyed tinkering with various mechanical jobs part time.
Two days shy of his twenty-first birthday, James married Debra Blevins on April 20, 1973. He loved her with all of his heart for over fifty years, and his love only grew when the couple added two daughters to their family. While the children were young, James enjoyed taking his family on camping and boating adventures. He taught his girls how to fish while also weaving valuable life lessons into their everyday routines. James also liked to work in his home garage, spending many hours on a motorcycle trike that he and Debra took on long rides. He cooked for his family every chance he got, a skill he learned from his mother. James loved being outdoors hunting and fishing. He also had deep compassion for animals, especially dogs. From the time he and Debra were married, they always had a dog.
James’s sense of humor will be forever missed by his wife, Debra Justice, Lagro; daughters, Misty (Lance) Frank, Wabash and Stephanie (Chris Waggoner) Wagner, Wabash; brother, Robert Justice, Fort Wayne; sisters, Mary (Jim) Frasure, North Manchester, Peggy Orr, Wabash, Betty Jo (Ken) McKillip, Wabash, and Sarah Polly Cantrell, Wabash; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren as well as one great-grandson due in March. James was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William “Bill” Justice, E. Ray Justice, and John Justice; sister, Pearlie Mae Kessinger; and granddaughter, Brittany Hall.
Family and friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2023 to celebrate James’s life at the Scout Hall Community Center, 108 West 7th Street, North Manchester, Indiana.
For those who wish to honor the memory of James Justice, memorial contributions may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, South West, Lilburn, Georgia 30047.
The family of James Justice has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Russell Justice, please visit our floral store.