Obituary

Claude “June” Herbert Justice, Jr. of Asheville passed away Monday, August 14, 2017 at the age of 84.

Claude was born in Buncombe County to Mary and Claude H. Justice and spent his life nestled in the beloved Western North Carolina Mountains. Claude’s younger years were spent in Barnardsville, NC cultivating tobacco and courting Virginia, eventually winning her hand in marriage. Claude and Virginia moved to Asheville in 1969 where they have lived out their over 60 years of marriage.

Everyone gravitated to Claude both in his professional and personal life. Before he retired with Biltmore Dairy Farms, June kept his friends and family stocked with overruns of ice cream…Orange Push-Ups being his granddaughter’s favorite. Claude’s most recent work family came in the form of Buncombe County Health and Human Services, Department of Social Services, where he worked as a security guard. He was a people person to his core and never met a stranger. Both employees and clients alike loved Claude’s presence, especially his morning greetings.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Ann Champion of Rancho Viejo, TX and Asheville; sister Sue Haynes of Greenville, SC; and brothers Walter and Willard Justice, both of Asheville.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Anders Justice of Asheville; son-in-law, Thomas Phillip Champion, Jr. of Rancho Viejo, Texas and Asheville; granddaughter, Tracy Kindley Linton of Raleigh, and three great-grandchildren: Abigale (18), Spencer (14), and Webb (11) all of Raleigh; sister, Shelby Jean Anders of Barnardsville and brother, Ralph Reed Justice of Asheville.

People like June come along seldom in life. Long known for his family devotion and kindness to others, he will be missed by many family, friends, loved ones, and pets (from the birds, squirrels, groundhogs and strays, to his various domesticated buddies.) But the biggest void of his loss will be felt by his wife and granddaughter.

His funeral service will be at 11:00 am Friday, August 18, 2017 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville with the Reverend Danny Gasperson officiating. Burial will be in Sky View Memorial Park, Asheville.

The family will receive friends Thursday, August 17, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm at West Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include: Larry David Justice, Lonnie Lorne Justice, and Fred Smith of Asheville; Kenneth Glenn Cope of Canton; David Bartlett Hughes of Raleigh; and James Cooper Linton of Durham.

Friends and loved ones are welcome to send flowers or a memorial donation may be made in the deceased’s name to Zephyr Hills Free Will Baptist Church, 283 Shelburne Rd., Asheville, NC 28806.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Justice’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.