Gary Lee Justice's Obituary
Gary Lee Justice, a resident of Lake Cherokee, passed away on Thursday morning, May 27, 2010, in a one vehicle accident. Born in Lubbock, Texas on February 4, 1949, Gary graduated from New Deal High School in 1967. An outstanding athlete in high school, he set the school record for varsity letters that still stands today and gathered All District/All South Plains honors in football and tennis. He then attended Texas Tech University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration.
In July of 1971, he was selected as the Force Administration Manager for Southwestern Bell in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, moving to Longview in 1973, and served there until 1977, when he began a 33 year career in the malt beverage business. Throughout this time he served as a District Manager for the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co., General Sales Manager for Stoudt Distributing Co, and for R&K Distributors, Inc. in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he served as General Manager since September 1995.
Gary was extensively involved in the community. A few of the organizations and boards to which he dedicated his time, love and expertise include: the Texas Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, National Kidney Association, Gregg County Crimestoppers, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club of Deep East Texas and was a member of First Christian Church in Longview. Gary was honored in 2004 when he was named Chairman of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and honored again in 2007 when he was selected as a Lifetime Member of the East Texas Peace Officers Association.
An avid outdoorsman, Gary loved to hunt, play golf and was a Master Scuba Diver. He loved diving with his son and dive group friends Travis Clardy, Mike Gatons, Larry Martin and Bruce Swank. He spent 20 years with his family and the Maxwell, Craig, Stanley, and Swank families deer hunting in the Texas Hill Country and cherished every minute of it.
Gary lived his life with amazing courage, wisdom and integrity and will be remembered by all as a true leader, loving husband, caring father and incredible friend.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Wilma and P.B. Justice. Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 35 years, Dena Davis Justice; son, Brad and wife, Catherine of Houston; daughter, Lauren of Longview; brother, James E. Justice and wife, Fether of Tyler; nephews Tye Justice and wife, Lindsey of Houston and Chance Justice and wife Laura of Midland; Godson, Matthew Hunter of Houston; In-laws Jimmie & Gaylon Snider of White Oak and Fred Davis of Midland; and many other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 30 at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 1 at First Christian Church, 750 N. 6th Street in Longview, followed by internment at Rosewood Park.
The family requests that those who desire may make memorial contributions to The Gary L. Justice SFA Lumberjack Scholarship Fund through the SFA Athletic Department, P.O. Box 13010, Nacogdoches, TX 75962 or The Horner Premier Foundation, 1551 Corporate Drive, Irving, TX 75038.
Pallbearers will be Bill Stoudt, Mike Craig, Paul Gadt, Mike Martin, John DeLamar, Mike Gatons, Paul Hunter, Gary Ashcraft, and Lloyd Magown.
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