Colonel Alton E. Justice

Colonel Alton E. Justice, USAF Retired, passed away on July 13, 2007 at the age of 86, after battling Alzheimer's disease for approximately ten years. He resided at the Gulfport VA until being evacuated for Hurricane Katrina, first to the Lake City, Florida VA and then back to Mississippi to the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Collins, Mississippi, for the past eighteen months. Colonel Justice was an avid aviator with the United States Air Force for 25 years, logging more than 10,000 flying hours. He flew during World War II for two years in the South Pacific, receiving numerous medals of valor and heroism, including the Asiatic Theater Medal with nine campaign stars, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with an oak leaf cluster. Following his long distinguished Air Force career, he was recruited as the Chief of Flying Safety Engineering for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during the development of the C-5 wide-bodied cargo and stealth aircraft. As a Lockheed representative, he spent extensive time in the Middle East during the turbulent crisis of the 1970's and 1980's. He was a member of the International Flight Safety Foundation and the Society of Safety Engineers. Upon retiring from Lockheed he and his devoted wife of forty years, Margaret Justice, moved from Atlanta, Georgia, to their second home on the beach in Pass Christian and subsequently to their Gulf Front estate at the west end of Pointe Aux Chenes in Ocean Springs. Colonel Justice was born and educated in the small rural town of Molena, Georgia, and received his higher education at the University of Southern California, University of Washington, New York University and Georgia State University. He enjoyed golf, fishing, boating, computer technology and woodworking. He built several houses and renovated every home he ever owned. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, daughters, Cassandra Soniat and Detective Catherine Justice of Dallas, Texas, sons, Gary Justice of Bradenton, Florida, and Dr. Keith Justice of St. Augustine, Florida. Another son, Paul Justice, succumbed to cancer in 2004. Al is also survived by two grandsons, Michael Justice and Taylor Soniat, a son-in-law, Kenneth Soniat, and a great-grandson, little Jacob Steele, all of Dallas, Texas. There are five granddaughters, Jennifer Latham, Jessica Steele, Shelby Justice, and Adrianna Soniat, all of Dallas, Texas, and Kathleen Justice of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and New York City. There are two daughters-in-law, Joanne Justice of Dallas, Texas, and Diana Justice of St. Augustine, Florida. There are also numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 12 Noon, with a visitation from 11 AM - 12 Noon, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of the South, Mississippi Division, 4803 Harrison Circle, Gulfport, MS., 39507.