Justin Howard Lightcap

Justin Howard Lightcap, a beloved son, father and friend of many, passed away on May 7, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. Justin was born to Betty (Tinney) Lightcap of Mount Dora, Florida and Irvin “Herk” Lightcap of Jacksonville, on September 26, 1980 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Justin graduated from Noblesville High School in Indiana in 1999, before going on to graduate with honors, with a major in Political Science and minor in Criminal Justice, from Indiana University in 2003. In 2005 he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He proudly served as a Rifleman with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines Infantry Battalion based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. He deployed twice to the Al Anbar Province of Iraq as a 0311 Rifleman and Infantry Team Leader. He received the Iraq Campaign Medal (with 1 bronze service star), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Qualification Badge (Expert), and several team unit awards. He was honorably discharged in 2009 and then worked for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in Jacksonville as Manager of Soldier Ride, a rehabilitation cycling program for helping and supporting wounded warriors. While with WWP, Justin traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad. He personally received a beautiful cigar humidor from President Obama after a soldier ride through Washington D.C. Justin’s proud Mother was privileged to join her son on the soldier ride from Miami to Key West in 2012 and his father was able to join Justin on soldier rides in New York City and Boston. Justin was so proud to serve other military veterans and especially loved his Marine Corps brothers-in-arms. Justin received a full scholarship and attended Florida Coastal School of Law. After he completed his law degree, he worked as a Public Defender for both Duval and Nassau Counties.

Justin was passionate about the outdoors. He loved to surf and fly fish, hunting, camping, his dogs Frank and Sadie, vintage watches, and the Willie Jeep.

Justin is survived and deeply missed by his loving parents, his former spouse, Erin (Kingsnorth) Lightcap, his special angel daughter, Charlotte LeClaire Lightcap, and his close-knit family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Justin’s life will be held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday, 21 May at 2:00pm. Interment with military honors will be held at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, on Wednesday, 22 May at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in Justin’s memory to “woundedwarriorproject.org” and/or “5starveteranscenter.org”, honoring his love for the Marine Corps.