Richard Arlin Justice, 73, died on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Monroe County. Born June 8, 1943 he was a son of Arlin and Floy Elizabeth Howell Justice. He married Barbara Lowery on June 8, 2002. In his younger years, he worked for Reece Dairy in Amory and coming from a long line of aviators, he began his career crop dusting and later flew for Mr. Kenneth Reich and Mr. Philip Bowen. Corporately, he was a pilot for Amory Garment Company, North American Plastics in Jackson, and Stanley-Smith Drywall in Talladega, AL. After his “retirement,” he worked as a contract pilot, substituting many times for Mississippi State University. Although his first passion was flying, he also enjoyed motorcycles, going to the movies, and bluegrass music. A man that enjoyed fellowship with his friends, he could be found on Thursday nights at the airport enjoying a meal or on Wednesday mornings for breakfast at Mel’s. A man of faith, he was a member of the Christian Chapel Church of Christ and participated in any way he was needed.
Funeral services for Mr. Justice will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Christian Chapel Church of Christ, 60127 Vaughn Road, Amory, Mississippi, with Minister Marshall Eubanks, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery. Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home of Amory is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Justice of Amory; one son, Richard Todd Justice of Birmingham, AL; two daughters, Kim Hays (Harry) of Morris, AL and DeeDee Larson (Erick) of Starkville; one step-son, Tommy Cadden (Gina) of Amory; two stepdaughters, Melinda Calmes (Fred) of Tupelo and Terri Hughes (Russell) of Tupelo; one brother, Ronnie Justice of Hatley; 15 grandchildren, Dustin Hays (Emilie), Nick Hays (Laura), Heath Hays (Kathryn), Trent Hays, Melanie Poe (Sam), T.J. Justice (Nicole), Keri Justice, Drake Larson, Johannah Larson, Mikki White (Ryan), Janet Cadden, Kathy Cadden, Bryan Smith, Jessica Bowling (Raymond), and Cooper Hughes; 13 great grandchildren, Seth, Brenna, Jordan, Caroline, Abbi, Cole, Houston, Kaitlyn, Brodie, Lowery, Kaleb, Alejandro, Julian, and MaKayla.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Nelda Conwill Justice.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Griffith, Cecil Boswell, Bill Gregory, John Bingham, Wes Kirkpatrick, Billy Neal, and Curry Justice. Honorary pallbearers will be E.A.A. Chapter 1189.
Visitation will be 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home. He will lie in state from noon until service time on Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Lebonheur Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 42048, Memphis, TN 38174 http://www.lebonheur.org/ways-to-help/; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 300, Memphis, TN 38148 www.stjude.org; or to the Christian Chapel Church of Christ Building Fund, 60127 Vaughn Road, Amory, MS 38821.
Condolences may be expressed at clevelandmoffettfuneralhome.com