James Lester Justice's Obituary
James “Lester” Justice, age 85, of Lorain, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in his home while under the care of Cleveland Clinic Hospice on Thursday, September 27, 2018.
He was born on May 29, 1933 in Phyllis, KY and moved to Lorain in 1952. He served his country while enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. Lester went to work for USS Steel in 1952, from where he retired in 1994 after 42 years of employment. He was a member of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, a member of the Steel Workers Union, and former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Elyria.
Lester’s greatest love and priority was always his family and he treasured time spent with them. He was a talented self-taught musician, able to play about any instrument that could be played. His favorites were playing his many guitars, banjo, harmonica, and piano, which he taught himself just a few years ago. Aside from being a loving family man and musician, he enjoyed tinkering in his workshop and around the house, and his family lovingly nicknamed him “The Original MacGyver.”
He will be dearly missed by his children; Theresa (James) Sharp, of Elyria, Melanie Withrow, of Lorain, and Leslie (Joseph) Shrenkel, of Ft. Wayne, IN, his 10 grandchildren; William McHenry, Johnnie Barker, Stephanie Galassi, James McHenry, Jacqueline Roy, Rose Withrow, Charles Buga, Allison Shrenkel, Victoria Shrenkel, and Hope Withrow, his 17 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and siblings; Betty Sue Elkins, of Sandusky and Rick (Deb) Justice, of Castalia.
Lester was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Rose M. (nee Gee) Justice, daughters; Eva Jane and Rebecca Justice, parents; George Dewey Murphy and Tressie Lynn (nee Thacker) Justice, and siblings; Fern Hunt, Neary Gene Justice, George Dewey Murphy, Jr., Brenda Roberts, Jackie Ray Murphy, Bonnie Lou Taylor, and Frederick “Dean” Justice.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, and on October 10th from 10-11 am at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 2949 W. River Road N, Elyria, OH 44035. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 10th at 11:00 am at Cornerstone United Methodist Church. The Rev. Chris Lalonde, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon, OH, with full military honors conducted by the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard.. To send an online condolence, go to www.dovinreberjones.com.
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