Glenn W Justice

Glenn W. Justice, 95, of Parker, Texas passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2016. He was born on March 18, 1920 in Martinsville, Texas to Ollie and Lillie Justice. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin University in 1941 and served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a beloved husband, father and great grandfather.

Like so many of the “Greatest Generation”, Lieutenant Justice joined the military before finishing his education but was able to complete his studies before shipping out to support the war effort in the South Pacific. Lt. Justice was involved in many of the island assaults. He was the longest serving naval officer on Okinawa Island and he was in Tokyo, Japan on VJ day plus two.

In 1946, Glenn married the love of his life, Martha Downing, which flourished for nearly 70 years. Not long after they were married they settled in Dallas, Texas. Eventually they purchased a ranch in Parker and he, Martha and their children split their time between Dallas and the ranch. Glenn and Martha also shared a mutual love for the mountains and the family made Estes Park, Colorado their second home.

Glenn was a devoted and loving father not only to his own three children but as a surrogate father to his nieces and nephews. He was an avid sportsman and loved to hunt and shared his love of hunting with his sons, nephews and grandchildren. After an early career as a real estate appraiser and loan originator, in 1952 he founded the Glenn Justice Mortgage Company, Inc. in Dallas. He expanded his mortgage company and opened numerous branches throughout the US. He was an active real estate developer in several commercial, single family and multi-family projects. Glenn was a prominent figure in the Texas mortgage banking industry and generously donated his talent and expertise to many organizations. Through the years he served as President of the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association as well as President of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association. In addition, he served as the Director of the Dallas Apartment and Home Builders Association; Director of the Durant Bank & Trust in Durant, Oklahoma; the Board of Governors of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and was a member of the Advisory Board for the Federal National Mortgage Association. In 1978 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association.

He served as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A & M University; Director of the Costa Institute at Southern Methodist University; was a member of the Board of Regents at Stephen F. Austin University for 12 years and eventually served as the Chairman of the Board of Regents and, as a Trustee for the Collin County Community College. For years he was a member of DOCA, The Defense Orientation Conference Association, traveling worldwide, touring various military installations and meeting world leaders. Glenn was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a long time Rotarian in the Plano Rotary Club.

Glenn was predeceased by his beloved daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Justice but they are together now. In addition to his wife Martha, he is survived by his sons Harry D. Justice, Sr. and wife Sherry, Glenn W. “Chip” Justice, Jr. and wife Linda, as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to the Visiting Nurses Association and the nurses and staff of Dr. James Chanez for their loving care of Glenn.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that anyone wishing to honor him do so by making a memorial donation to the Texas Health Resources Foundation, P.O. Box 200038, Arlington, Texas, 76006-9946, benefitting the Chaplain David Erb Pastoral Care Fund or to a charity of your choice.

His family and friends assembled to celebrate the extraordinary life of Glenn. He was truly, “one of a kind”!

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.