Justus, Richard "Dick" H.

Dick Justus was born on June 27, 1927, in Newton, Kansas to Anna Lee and Harry Goldon Justus. He had an older brother, Norman, with whom Dick grew up; During the Great Depression, their father Harry was hired to be caretaker of a small country club in Ottawa, Kansas where they chased golf balls and caddied. Not a bad life for a couple of boys of that era. Eventually, Dick, who was too young to join the military at the beginning of World War II, joined the Merchant Marines with the permission of his parents at the age of 17. After a couple of years, Dick joined the United States Marines just as the war was winding up. He always liked to say that he “bravely fought the Battle of San Francisco Bay” for a year and a day when he received an honorable discharge. Eventually, Dick made his way to El Paso, Texas, where his parents had relocated. Thus began his days as a salesman first for a steel company, and then eventually for Mountain Bell Yellow Pages, where he worked until he retired in the mid1980s. Dick met his future wife, Ginger Harris Justus of El Paso in 1955, they married in 1956 and celebrated 50 years of marriage in June of 2006 right before Ginger passed away. Dick and Ginger are survived by daughter Ann Elizabeth Radebaugh, son-in-law, Jim Radebaugh and granddaughter Halley Ann of Plano, TX. Their beloved son Bill passed away in December of 2014; He is survived by his wife Stacey, and their daughters Tessa Otten, Sarah Ann Justus, Halley Beth Justus and grandchildren Autumn, Max, and Charlotte. Dick spent as much time on the golf courses at Compestre Golf Club in Juarez, Mexico; Horizon Country Club in Horizon City, and his favorite, Vista Hills Country Club, in El Paso. He spent so much time at Vista Hills, he was elected president of the board and at one point actually acted as the general manager of the club for a short time. Dick and his wife Ginger were some of the first members of the club and dedicated time and money to helping create a beautiful country club in East El Paso. Even though Dick was a devoted husband and family man, Ginger often kicked him out of the house stating “Don’t you have golf game or something to do?” Both Dick and Ginger were well known for their wit but mostly for their love and dedication to each other and their family. Having lived in El Paso for well over 50 years and being a salesman and golfer, Dick never met a stranger he knew people all over town, many of whom he considered very close friends. In the summer of 2014, Dick moved to The Conservatory of Plano Independent Living to be near his son, Bill and daughter, Ann who both lived in North Texas. Even though he only lived there for 10 months, Dick made many friends he enjoyed his life in North Texas although he complained mightily about the lack of decent Mexican food in the area! Richard “Dick” Justus passed away at Baylor Heart Hospital of Plano on July 21, 2015. There will be a ceremony celebrating his life at Fort Bliss National Cemetery on August 7, at 10 o’clock in the morning, where he’ll be interred with his wife Ginger. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700