Fred D. Justice

Fred D. Justice, 93, passed away October 30, in his home with his wife Jean present.

Fred was born at home on the family farm outside of Lafayette, Indiana to James F. Justice, Sr. and Mae Melinda Jackson. Fred was the sixth of seven children. Fred attended school in Klondike, Indiana.

As a young teenager, his first jobs besides working on the family farm was at Purdue University Poultry Farm in West Lafayette and at the Tippecanoe Veterans Home. Shortly after that he went to work as an apprentice in the car department of the then Monon Railroad in Lafayette. Fred worked in many departments of the Railroad and ended up as an Inspector of Police for the railroad with many Railroad Special Agents under him. His territory was large including all of Indiana, Chicago, Ill and parts of Kentucky.

Although Fred didn’t go to college, he went to numerous Technical Schools on the Railroad. He also graduated from the Mississippi Police Academy, and the Industrial Policing Academy in Virginia.

Fred gladly served his country fighting in the Korean War. He received 2 Bronze Service Stars, a United Nations Service Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal. In 2015 he received an Ambassador for Peace Medal and a Korean War Veteran Ribbon from the Republic of Korea.

In August of 1981 he turned in his badge and gun to the Railroad and headed west to be near his brothers, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. At Thanksgiving his soon to be wife, Jean, quit her teaching job in Lafayette and headed west. They were married in Pueblo in December.

In April of 1984 they moved to Trinidad as Jean took a job with Colorado State University Extension. During their 4 years there Fred was head of security at Mount San Rafael Hospital. While there he became friends with Dr. Bieber who also a Korean Vet.

In January of 1988 they moved to Rocky Ford as Jeans’ job with CSU Extension brought her here. At that time Fred decided to retire with his Railroad Pension. In Rocky Ford he soon became very involved with the Rocky Ford Elks Lodge #1147, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1993. He started a home business, F & J Black Powder. He also started the Rocky Ford Gun Fighters Club which was a type of cowboy shooting with black powder guns. They had local contests as well as traveled to New Mexico for contests. He also did gunsmithing and made and sold numerous black powder long rifles. He did leatherwork also and sold custom made belt and holsters, mostly for single action revolvers.

Fred was a lifelong NRA member and former certified instructor, teaching adults and youth. He was not an official 4-H leader but was involved with the Otero County 4-H shooting program.

Fred loved to spend time in the mountains hunting, fishing and camping with friends and family.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, James F. Justice Sr. and Mae Malinda Jackson; son, Nicholas Justice; brothers, Russell, James Jr., and Dorwin; sisters, Geneva, Juanita and Betty. He is survived by his wife, Jean Justice, daughter, Colleen (Frank) Leon; six grandchildren and six great- grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Fred’s request was cremation and no services.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.