John S. Justin, Jr.

Marietta Monitor

March 2, 2001, page 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

John S. Justin, Jr., 84, chairman of the board for Justin Industries, died Monday, February 26, 2001, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Funeral services were Thursday at 11 a.m., in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with Dr. K. Wayne Day and Dr. William Longsworth officiating.

John S. Justin, Jr. was born January 17, 1917, in Nocona, Texas, to Ruby Love and John S. Justin, Sr. He attended Central High School in Fort Worth and TCU and served as an officer in the Merchant Marines during World War II.

During his younger years, Justin spent a great deal of time in Marietta visiting his grandmother, Mrs. H.W. Choate, Sr. and uncle, Willis Choate, Jr. He also attended Marietta High School for a period of time and kept in touch with his Marietta friends through the years.

As a schoolboy, John worked at the boot company, making extra money by selling ice cold Cokes to the factory workers. His first venture into the business world was in 1938. He borrowed funds to start the Justin Belt Co. with W. D. Barton.

In 1949, he reentered the boot business, gradually acquiring the necessary stock to assume the presidency of the company. He revolutionized policies, product lines, production and marketing to such an extent as to build it into a company of national prominence.

In 1953, he married Jane Chilton Justin. They just celebrated their 48th anniversary. They have two children, David and Mary.

In the early 1960s, Justin served as mayor pro tem and then mayor of the city of Fort Worth. This opened the doors for what became a lifelong commitment to civic affairs, both personally and philanthropically.

In 1968, Justin Boot and Belt Companies merged with Acme Brick to beome a part of First Worth Corp., which is now known as Justin Industries, Inc. He was named chairman and CEO in December 1969 and transformed the business into a company with sales exceeding $450 million.

He served as chairman of the board of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for 19 years and was a familiar figure at trail rides, rodeos and parades. He was instrumental in raising funds for the Will Rogers Equestrian Center, serving as committee chairman.

John Justin received numerous honors and awards throughout his life.

As a team, he and Jane were named "Man and Woman of the Year" in 1984 by the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. They also jointly received the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award in 1985.

He was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame and Texas Hall of Honor. In 1992 he was the recipient of the Charles Goodnight Award, which benefits the TCU Ranch Management Program. He was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 1998 and the Hall of Great Westerners in Oklahoma City's Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in 1999.

Justin felt greatly honored at the unveiling of the bronze "The Chairman" at the southeast end of the Will Rogers Complex aboard Baby Blue, his favorite Grand Entry horse.

John always had a smile on his face, boots on his feet and an open-door policy at his home and office, where all were welcome. He will be greatly missed by many.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Jane Chilton Justin; daughter, Mary Justin; son, David Justin; several aunts and cousins, including Willis Choate III, Willis Choate IV, and John Justin Choate of Marietta.

Serving as pallbearers were Roy Topham, J.T. Dickenson, Dee J. Kelly, W.R. Watt, Jr., Neal Gay, Tater Decker, Jim Shoulders and John B. Collier.

Honorary pallbearers were Mark Hill, Ed Bass, Ed Stout, Jon Bennett, David Carothers, William Tucker, John Roach, Perry Bass, Charles Kennemer, John Seelig, Jack Carey, Charles Geren, Bob Bolen and John Marion.

Interment in Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth, was directed by Greenwood Funeral Home.