Jackie ‘Jack’ Richard Justus

Jackie ‘Jack’ Richard Justus

Jackie ‘Jack’ Richard Justus, 77, of Ranson, West Virginia, passed away on April 11, 2025. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a servant to all.

Son of Norman and Annabelle (Crouch) Justus, he was born on November 28, 1947 in Aurora, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1970 and was proud to count himself among the Entomological Society of America’s few Board Certified Entomologists.

Jack married the love of his life, Rosemary Brafford of Monett, Missouri, on August 29, 1970. During 54 wonderful years together they were blessed with two children, Jeremy and Julie. Jack was a man of faith and integrity who cherished every moment that he spent with his family and loved ones, always putting their needs above his own.

Jack’s faith in Jesus Christ guided all that he did. He was a committed leader and member at First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Charles Town Baptist Church when he moved to West Virginia in retirement. Jack had a heart for mission and served God’s people in more states and countries than he ever thought possible. He especially enjoyed multiple trips to Kosovo and Habitat for Humanity builds with Julie. 

Jack was known for his gentle and kind heart, unwavering loyalty, corny jokes, and willingness to help others. He made the best meatballs and never refused a cherry pie. He shared his passion for music by singing at church until his death and took weekly voice lessons to nurture his gift. As a lifelong scientist and lover of bugs, Jack was dedicated to teaching children about insects and their important place in nature. He was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed helping his children and grandchildren make their own scouting memories. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brother John Justus. He is survived by his wife Rosemary, his daughter Julie Justus Williams (Richard) of Falls Church, Virginia, and son Jeremy Justus of Indianapolis, Indiana; his brother Joel Justus (Dana) of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; four grandchildren: Annabel Williams, Micah Williams, Iris Justus, and Jaylice Justus; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends from New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, who will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on April 17, 2025 at Charles Town Baptist Church, 222 S. Mildred Street Charles Town, WV 25414. Attendees are asked to wear Easter colors to celebrate Jack joining the heavenly choir. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Jack’s honor be made to the Charles Town Baptist Church Mission Fund or Bible Fellowship Church Board of Missions (BFCBOM), P. O. Box 3555 Allentown, PA 18106-0555, in care of Nelson Randolph. 

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Ranson, WV.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.mtstrider.com

 PAID MEMORIAL