He was predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Linda Hayes Justice, and is survived by his wife of the last 8 years, Sandra McGehee Justice; his son Brian C. Justice (Michaelle); Todd M. Justice (Emily); grandchildren, Meagan, Evan, and Jeb; sisters Irene Myers and Bird Shelton; several nephews and nieces; as well as many friends and loved ones.
He graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in 1958 and remained involved in the social activities of that class throughout his adulthood. That fall he enrolled at the University of Virginia in the College of Arts and Sciences but left school to race cars professionally, completing the Sports Car of America’s Driver’s School and earning both an SCCA National Competition License and an FIA International Competition License. He raced sports cars through 1971, returning to UVA in 1963 to obtain a degree in architecture. He graduated in June 1967 and was licensed in the state of Virginia in June 1969. He participated in his first AIA function in 1964, representing the UVA School of Architecture at the Student Forum held at the Octagon in Washington, D.C. He was involved in local civic and AIA activity almost immediately. By 1974, he was President of the City of Richmond downtown Civitan Club, serving in that role 1974- 1975. Then, he served on the Mayor’s Committee, helping to develop in Virginia’s building codes new design standards to accommodate the disabled.
In 1984, the President of the AIA National invited him to serve as a Trustee and, later, as an officer of the AIA Trust. For this work he received a Presidential Citation in 1989; he is the only Virginian to receive this honor. After many years of involvement in the Tuckahoe Little League with sons Brian and Todd, he was elected President in 1992 and 1993. In that position, he worked with a group of interested parents to develop a program of rules that would allow children with disabilities to participate; this has grown into the “Challenger Program” at TLL today, which fully accommodates male and female disabled baseball/softball players. In 1998, he was appointed to the Governor’s Art and Architecture Review Board by Gov. Jim Gilmore and served four years in that role. In 2007, he was elected President of AIA Richmond and elevated to Fellow in 2009, completing a three year term as the Regional Representative for Virginia and West Virginia in the College of Fellows AIA. This was work and service of which he was particularly proud. From the Society, his father Charles C. Justice and he received Society Distinguished Achievement Awards in 1980 and 2000, the only father and son pair to received such a commendation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the SPCA. Visitation will be held from 5:30 pm to 8 pm on Thursday at Woody Funeral Home, Parham Chapel, 1771 N. Parham Rd., Richmond, Va., 23229 where funeral services will be held on Friday at 9:30 am in the funeral home chapel. Interment to follow at Westhampton Memorial and Cremation Park in Richmond. Condolences may be conveyed to the family online at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com
