John Gray Justice

A longtime citizen of Nashville, John was born on September 13, 1925 in Viola, TN.

He was predeceased by his father and mother Pauline Rhea Justice; sisters Marion J. Cole and Louise J. Brooks; brothers David A. Justice Sr., and Bobby Justice all of Nashville.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Frances Sue (Lindsley) Justice and their three children: Stephen G. Justice (Valerie) of Santa Clarita, CA., Susan Justice Roland (Perry) of Sugar Land, TX., and Faye Justice Eson (Rod) of Houston in addition to his brother Richard F. Justice of Nashville and sister Patty Metcalf of Tallahassee, FL., and numerous nieces and nephews.

His life’s journey led him from the Great Depression to business entrepreneur. In World War II, John proudly served aboard the USS Wasp aircraft carrier where he assembled and repaired torpedoes, tracked emerging battles in the Combat Information Center, and was gun director for a Quad-40mm mount. Following the war, he supported the Magic Carpet operations that brought our troops home from Europe. After the war, he first worked at the downtown Nashville Castner-Knott department store where he met his wife Sue. Through a chance encounter, John was given the opportunity to help start a steel fabrication company which grew to be Justice Steel, Inc. Building on that success, he started six other companies including Consolidated Construction, Allied Sheet Metal, Micro Machining, and Mercon Equipment. John served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon at Crievewood Baptist Church and later was a member of Woodmont Baptist Church. He was a lifetime member of the Nashville Downtown Lions Club, serving since 1964. His Lions involvement grew from club and district positions to club president, zone chairman, deputy district governor, district governor, culminating in his election as International Director. John received numerous awards through his Lions Club service including five International President’s Awards, two International President’s Leadership Awards, Ambassador of Goodwill Award and five-diamond Melvin Jones Fellow. John was instrumental in the formation of Tennessee Lions Charities, Inc., and its KidSight Outreach program that provides eye screenings for preschool children in Tennessee. John was very active in the Nashville community, serving as Nashville Contractors Association Chairman of the Board, Association of Builders and Contractors Director, Nashville Better Business Bureau Executive Committee, Heart Fund District Chairman, March of Dimes District Chairman, Cancer Society District Chairman, and as a member of the board of Trustees of Belmont College. In 2005, John and Sue relocated to Anaheim, CA, and then to Sugar Land, TX, to be near their children. During these years, John was happily engaged in his local senior community, often planning social events and energizing friends with his ever-present practical jokes and humor. His proudest achievements were his family and helping others. John was deeply devoted to God, his country and his family.

Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Nashville Downtown Lions Club, Tennessee Lions Club Past District Governors, and friends Austin Jennings, Dan Milam, Carl Lambert, Ray Holtman, Marshall McBride and Billy Johnson. Active Pallbearers include Russell Cole, Rhea Cole, David Justice and Phil Barnes.

Visitation will be held from four o’clock until eight o’clock on Friday evening, the 12th of September 2014 at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.

The Celebration of Life Service will take place at two-thirty in the afternoon on Saturday, the 13th of September 2014 in Woodlawn's Dignity Hall, officiated by Dr. Bill Sherman with visitation held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

The family expresses special thanks to all the loving caregivers at Atria Senior Living in Sugar Land, especially Norma Herrera. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Downtown Nashville Lions Club, P.O. Box 190581, Nashville, TN 37219 or to Tennessee Lions Charities, Inc., KidSight Outreach, 505 Fesslers Lane, Nashville, TN 37210.

Visit the online obituary:www.woodlawn-roesch-pattonfh.com