A memorial service will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Fort Worth on January 22, 2018 from 5pm – 7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made to Justin's favorite animal rescue, Friends of Arlington Animal Services at http://www.faastexas.org/.
Justin was a man of many passions. From an early age he found pleasure in creating, first by drawing and then with his true calling, writing. He always had a notebook with stories and ideas and poems and song lyrics. As an adult he would go on to become an award winning short story writer and published novelist, writing in multiple genres and reaching a wide audience with his works.
He also loved movies, a passion that began very early when around 1980 his father somehow procured a VHS copy of Star Wars. Justin and his brother would watch this on a seemingly endless loop, and his love for this film would define a significant portion of his persona for the rest of his life. If you were his friend, you knew he loved Star Wars, and he tried to get you to love it, too. But he also just loved movies in general. Anything from Casablanca to The Fast and the Furious ... he loved it all.
Music played a significant role in his life, as well. As a teenager he was known for his prowess at compiling “mix tapes” and his penchant for giving them names like “Cool Jams” or “Rock Steady” or “Highway Nights”. But by the mid 90’s his heart had found a home with one band above all others: Pearl Jam. It was a love he shared with his wife and they attended multiple concerts together over the years.
His life held such joy and love, and above all he loved his wife, Krista. He loved her with a powerful and dynamic love that saw no bounds or end. She was his one true love, which he wouldn’t hesitate to tell anyone. They saw each other through pain and joy, and they weathered whatever life tossed at them together. He was proud to call her his wife, and he felt so lucky to have found her and she to have found him.
He also loved his family dearly. In the past year and a half he’d lost his beloved Mamaw and his mother, Christine, both of whom were very dear to him. But he still had his brother, Scott, who he was exceptionally close to, and his niece and nephews, Aleena, Jacob, and Walker. He was the best big brother and uncle, and they all knew he would always do anything he could to help them if they needed it. He truly loved them, and they truly loved him back.
He had also recently reconnected with his father, Dale, with whom he had lost touch for a time. They were able to make amends, and for this they were both thankful. A father has a special love for his children, and that is no different in their case.
Last but not least, he loved his pets. He had his favorites (especially Frodo) but he loved them all like they were his children. To him there was no difference between his pets and his people, and his love for his “fur babies” ran deep.
Justin’s heart knew few limits. What and who he loved, he loved wholly and without reservation. He was a beautiful soul who always tried to spread humor and light, and his passing has left a shadow on the lives of those who knew him. His was a life well lived, and the best way for those of us left behind to honor him is to love without limits, to be unashamed in our passions, and to pursue our dreams the way he always did: fearlessly.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Linda (Christine) Newland, and his Maternal Grandmother and Grandfather, Harold and Bettye Russell.
He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Krista Macumber, his brother Scott Macumber, niece Aleena Macumber, nephews Jacob Macumber and Walker Brumley, his father Dale Macumber, and his beloved dogs Macy, Frodo, Lizzie, Micki, and beloved cats Buddy, Chewie, Lily, Lolly, and Jovi.
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