James Mack Justiss

Funeral services for James Mack Justiss, age 81, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2003, in the First Baptist Church in Claude with Dr. Charles Davenport of Tulia, and Rev. Janet Edwards, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Claude, officiating.  Burial was held in Claude Cemetery under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mr. Justiss was born September 2, 1921, in Goodnight, Armstrong County, Texas, and was a lifetime Armstrong County resident.  He married Lorene Dye on August 20, 1940, in Claude.  He was a building contractor from the 1950s through the 1980s.  Prior to his retirement, he had built 60 to 70 homes in and around Claude as well as having helped build the Claude, Goodnight, and Clarendon Baptist Churches. He also helped in the construction of Clarendon College.  In addition to being a contractor, he was also engaged in farming and ranching. He was a 50-year member of the Claude Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite, a member of the Panhandle Builders Association, and had served two different terms as mayor of Claude from August 1959 until April 1961 and from April 1977 until April 1981. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Claude.

Survivors include his wife, Lorene Justiss of Claude; two daughters, Ruth Hancock of Clarendon, and Evelyn McGowan of Levenworth, Washington; one brother, Ralph Justiss of Goodnight; two granddaughters, Amy Dorris and husband Ken, Buffie Smith and husband David; and five great grandchildren, Eric Dorris, Taylor Smith, Tyler Smith, Brooke Smith, and Trenton Smith.

The family suggests that memorials be to the Claude Masonic Lodge, the Claude Cemetery Association, or the Claude Ambulance Service.