Many of you have asked about Centrals dear, sweet mother, June Justice. I say that because if Central were to name someone as their loving mother, it would be June. Her obituary kind of said it all. Aileen June Justice: A Life Well Lived. Truer words were never spoken. Such a kind, thoughtful, sweet, loving lady. As an example of what I am talking about, let me first share a personal story about June. When my father passed away in 1983, June wrote me the kindest note, and I would like to share it with you to show the type of person she was. Dated July 13, 1983, she writes: Dear Caylon, You have been on my mind since I read of the death of your father earlier this week. The most anyone can say is Im sorry, which I am. Although I did not know him personally, many people have spoken of what a fine man he was. One thing, for sure, is that he must surely have been proud of you because he COULD be proud. My own father (who, incidentally, went to school at Pleasant Hill and grew up around the Franklin area) has been gone for many years, but he is still with me in many ways. These are just words, but they are the best I can do for right now. Thinking of you--June Justice I found out later that our fathers had grown up together in east Norman and had been friends and attended the same school. Not knowing this at the time, June still brought me comfort in a very trying time. That is just who she was. She was notorious for writing notes and trying to bring sunshine into the lives of those she knew. She was a marvelous teacher, often using humor to get her point across. I had the privilege of being a Team Teacher with her for two years during the early days of my teaching career. I can not begin to tell you how much I learned about teaching from this dear mentor. Let me now tell you about this dear lady. June was born in Washington, Oklahoma, on May 4, 1921. Her parents, Evan Lawrence Marti, and Anna Frank (Miller) Marti, moved June and her sister, Evanna, to Norman in the mid-1940s. On October 12, 1950, June was married to Thurman Jake Justice in the Marti family home on Boyd Street. After graduating from Washington High School and moving to Norman, June graduated from the University of Oklahoma and became a public school educator. In those early days as an English and music teacher, June took her love of music (she was an accomplished pianist) and became the instrumental music teacher and marching band director at Putnam City High School. She later taught at McKinley Elementary School in Norman. After a hiatus from teaching to raise a family, June resumed her teaching career in 1967 as an English teacher in the Norman Public School system (Central Jr. and Mid-High). Junes personal brand of humor inspired her students to embrace and enjoy the learning experience she created. To this day, former students speak of her with highest regard and fondest memories. June, a lifelong, dedicated Christian, was a member of the First Baptist Church for sixty-four years. She died on January 1, 2012 in Bedford, Texas. She is buried at the Resthaven Gardens Cemetery in Oklahoma City. She is greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Indeed, hers was A Life Well Lived.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 05:30:47 +0000
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