OBITUARY: Distinguished Veteran James ‘JJ’ Justice Passed Away Feb. 2 at Cape Canaveral Hospital at 76

Honored with full military burial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – James M. Justice “JJ” passed away on February 2, 2023, at Cape Canaveral Hospital at 76. He was born in Boyd County, Kentucky, on June 28, 1946.

JJ proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne and deployed to and served with the 210th Aviation Combat Division, the 54th Aviation Company, and the 255th Transportation Company. JJ served abroad in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Germany.

Upon returning to the states in 1974, he was assigned to U.S. Army Recruiting Command during his last ten years of service. He retired from the U.S. Army SFC in 1984 as a Gold Badge Recruiter earning 3-Sapphire Star. Following his service to his country, JJ worked for 30 years in the environmental service industry.

JJ will be lovingly remembered by the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Dreama, “You’re the One.” He was the dear father to Jim Justice and his wife Raenon of El Mirage, Arizona, and Jesse Justice and his wife Missi of Georgetown, Kentucky, and the beloved grandpa to eight grandchildren, including Ben of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kaitlin, Rayshaun, Gavin, Makayla, and Avery of El Mirage, Arizona. Hunter and his wife Mason of Cynthiana, Kentucky, and Shelby of Georgetown, Kentucky. JJ is also survived by a brother, Rick Stirr, of Virginia.

Pre-deceased by his loving parents James M. Justice, Sr., and Haley Marie Stirr; his sisters Wilma Jean Justice, Paggia Evans, Minnie Kay Stirr and his brother Hubert Justice.

JJ was a motorcycle enthusiast who loved to travel across the country with family and friends. He visited countless National Parks in 48 states.

JJ had a passion for honoring his fellow veterans. He was an active member in both Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 4 and Florida Chapter 1. He felt he had a duty to educate the public about POW/MIA issues, to share the meaning behind the POW/MIA flag, and to encourage others to NEVER FORGET the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the great country he served.

This passion, this purpose, culminated in JJ being a proud participant in the Annual Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom in Washington, D.C. for several years.

JJ joined Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 4 in 2009. In 2011, he became President of Chapter 4 and became instrumental in many missions, including escorting the 9/11 beam to the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliffe, Kentucky. He also supported Hooray for Heroes events to honor active-duty soldiers and veterans in their communities.

As a Brevard County resident and President of Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1, he took pride in overseeing 82 POW/MIA flag raising events in Brevard County Public School System, the Brevard County School Board headquarters, five local fire departments, the Port Authority Administration building, and several assisted living facilities. Overall, JJ has been involved in well over 125 POW/MIA flag-raising events in Kentucky and Florida.

Friends and family were received at Wylie Baxley Funeral Home, on Merritt Island on Thursday, February 9, followed by a celebration of life service. A procession departed for a full military burial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims.

To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, donations to Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 would be greatly appreciated to continue his passion for helping meet the needs of local veterans. Donations can be sent to Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1, c/o Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy. Merritt Island, FL 32952.

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