Jennings Bryan Justice

His mother loved William Jennings Bryan, but she already had a son named William. So Marcus and Lurly Lee Justice's youngest son became Jennings Bryan Justice. With Jennings as a first name, he grew up going by Bryan. He was the youngest of five. Bill, Hazel, Harrell, and Maude paved the way for young Bryan. He loved being with them. His mischievousness was learned as he trailed behind the older four children. He loved to tell how he went to first grade with Maude because he didn't want to be left behind. He might even have been invited back if he hadn't gotten into a fight. The seven Justices shared a close loving lifetime. The loss of his parents and two brothers were very hard for Bryan. Bryan grew up in and around Waco. He graduated from LaVega High School and proudly proclaimed himself a "La Vega Pirate." His brothers owned the Justice Caf on Franklin Ave., in Waco. Bryan went to work cooking in the caf. He remained there until he was drafted for the Korean War in late September, 1950. He was the first draftee from McLennan County. The Waco Tribune-Herald referred to his a "just right" as a draftee. "He was 25 and not married." The paper did a full page spread on him, his family, and his girlfriend, Miss Gwen Snider. After Bryan came home from Korea, he and Gwen wed in Waco on June 6, 1953. They moved to Dallas so he could take a job at Ford Motor Co. Bryan was an upholsterer. Every one of those 50s and 60s model cars that had stickers saying "Made in Texas by Texans" had been touched by Bryan as he covered the seats of those cars. Daughter Debbie and son Marc soon came along. In 1957, the family moved to a new housing addition called Casa View. This is the house where Bryan and Gwen would rear their children, adding son Rick, to complete the gang. Rarely were the kids left behind. If the 3 kids couldn't go, then no one in the family went. Bryan loved nothing better than playing with his children. Wrestling, football, baseball, croquet, volleyball, kickball, hide-n-seek - you name it and Bryan could be found in the middle of it. He spent time Scouting with Marc, refurbishing the troop's trailer, and he built a grub box for each patrol. He umpired Rick's Cub Scouts softball league and had a trophy to prove it. As the family grew, and energy conservation grew Ford began to down-size their assembly plants. Bryan went to work for the Dallas Co. Sheriff's Department in 1971 and rose to the rank of sergeant. He made many new friends as he learned a new job with people from all walks of life. He remained with the sheriff's department until his retirement in 1990. As the son of a carpenter, Bryan learned to use his hands. He had every tool imaginable. He loved to get out in garage and later, his shed, to design and build furniture and home dcor. He was making Christmas yard art before it was trendy. His work was clean and simple, but done to perfection. He would have it no other way. He passed these traits on to his children as he taught each of them to use his tools. His handiness with tools was also useful as he used a hairbrush for ponytails. Christmas wrapping sessions led to the creation of masterful packages under the family tree. He was the wrapper through this past Christmas, but Christmas packages were not his greatest masterpieces. Bryan developed his artistic abilities at a young age while taking a drawing course through correspondence.He remained a talented sketch artist throughout his life.Painting became a joy in his teenage years.Upon his retirement, he erected the easel and revived his love for painting.The family home, as well as the homes of his children, contains numerous Justice masterpieces.He loved to paint outdoor scenes reflecting his love for outdoor activities.He thoroughly enjoyed gardening.There were very few years when the Justice yard did not contain a vegetable garden.The tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and other vegetables graced the Justice table.One year, he even succeeded in cross pollinating jalapeo peppers and bell peppers resulting in "jalabell peppers".He remained passionate about camping.A meal cooked on an open fire could satisfy him as much any gourmet cooking.Bryan?s passion for sports never waned.He enjoyed playing sports even breaking his ankle in his late forties while playing football with Marc and his friends.When Rick aspired to be a tennis star, he practiced hours upon end shagging balls and returning serves.And none of the family will forget those summer evenings sitting in the yard and listening to the Texas Rangers play baseball.As the family grew up, Bryan and Gwen remained active supporters of all their children's many and varied activities and interests. Bryan realized that his joys of life were multiplying exponentially with the births of his grandchildren. First came Blake (nicknamed "Bullet") and Brandy (nicknamed "Nubbin"). He delighted in them. He and Gwen began visiting elementary school again for each program and Grandparent breakfast. Middle school brought athletic events for each. When he thought life couldn't get any sweeter, along came the twins, Hannah and Joel. He spent much time in dismay because he couldn't be with them as much as he wished. He followed their growth spurts, their first steps and words, and the newness of each. He and Gwen made sure that they were in Vigo Park or Brownwood for the most important events of their lives. They sat down front in the church as each accepted Christ with tears in his eyes. His pride in his family was his driving force. Bryan spent his life working and fighting for what he held most dear.Even through bouts with several serious illnesses, he maintained his trade-mark sense of humor.His last days were spent with his family in joy and in jest.Because of his faith in Jesus Christ and knowing his family's love and support, he received his call home with peace and dignity. Jennings Bryan Justice, born July 17, 1925 in Personville, Texas to Marcus and Lurly Lee Justice, passed away March 29, 2007. Bryan is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gwen Justice; daughter, Debbie Justice; sons: Marc Justice and his wife Brenda; Rick Justice and his wife Celeste.Also survived by grandchildren: Blake Justice and his wife Chelsea, Brandy, Hannah, and Joel Justice; sisters: Maude O'Dell and her husband Lonnie, and Hazel Justice; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be at the Eastridge Park Christian Church in Mesquite on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 11:00 AM with Reverand Dan Carroll officiating. The family will receive friends at New Hope Funeral Home from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 1, 2007.