Obituary for Leslie Justus

Leslie Dean Justus

May 3, 1957 – July 16, 2024

Longtime Perry resident and PHS administrator and coach, Les Justus passed from this life on July 16, 2024, at his home with his family by his side.

Leslie Dean Justus was born May 3, 1957 to Robert Curtis and Norma Jacquelyn (Stretch) Justus in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Les attended kindergarten in Perry before his father’s job as a highway patrolman moved them to Guymon, where he attended elementary school. The family then moved back to Perry where Les attended and graduated from Perry High School in 1975. He played football and basketball for the Maroons, where he was made captain his senior year in both sports, as well as baseball and track. It was tradition that the escort and attendant go on a date after a homecoming event. During the football coronation, Les was the escort to Sheri’s sister, but Joyce already had a boyfriend, so she asked Sheri to step in as Les’ date that evening. This was the beginning of a fifty-year-long partnership. After graduation, Les received a scholarship to play football at Northeastern State University. Education was very important to Les, and he chose to end his football career by finishing college with Sheri at Oklahoma State University. Les graduated from OSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies.

Les and Sheri were married on May 27, 1978. They made their home in Garber where Les began his career in 1980 as a social studies teacher and assistant football coach at Garber High School. Their daughter, Jaymi, was born during their time in Garber. Les was then offered a position as the seventh-grade football coach and Modern and World History teacher in 1982 at Perry. Thus began a long career in the Perry Public School system. Les coached junior high and high school football, basketball, baseball, and golf, but football was always his favorite. Son, Curtis, and daughter, Jacqui, were born during Les’ stint as a coach and teacher at PHS.

Les decided to go back to school to earn a Master’s degree in Education Administration. He became the principal for Perry Mid High in 1992 and then the high school principal in 1995. Les was offered the position of Superintendent of Billings Public Schools in 2005 and retired after three years in Billings. After a short break, where he worked for J&J Solutions, Les was asked to fill in as the Perry High School Principal for the 2012-2013 school year. It was only supposed to be for one year, but he found himself staying for five years. Les retired for good in 2017. Les was known as a tough but fair coach, teacher, and administrator, pushing his students and players to do their very best. Numerous students and players tell stories about getting into trouble but then receiving a second chance and a life lesson from Coach or Mr. J.

Les had numerous hobbies throughout his life. He loved woodworking and built not only the house that he and Sheri designed in 1993 but the majority of the cabinetry and furniture in that house. He spent numerous hours outside gardening as well, putting the skills he learned from his Grandma Maudie to use. Les and Sheri moved next to the golf course in 2015 where Les continued to remodel the interior of the house, build more furniture, expand the gardens, and drive his golf cart out of the back of his shop to play a round almost every day. Les loved to build rocking horses and other pieces for his family, extended family, and friends. Les also served on the local Habitat for Humanity Board, as the Noble County Board of Health Chairperson, and served the Christ Lutheran Church in several different capacities. Les’ favorite hobby, though, was coaching and cheering on his children and grandchildren. He was never more proud than when he watched Jaymi, Curtis, and Jacqui perform and succeed in their choice of activity and then each of his grandchildren as they came along. He taught his children and grandchildren many skills in sports, but also lessons in life. Les and Sheri took the opportunity to travel throughout their busy life together. Les’ lifelong love of Cardinal baseball frequently sent the family to St. Louis and other cities that were hosting the Cards at the time. Les and Sheri traveled to many other places where Les often took the opportunity to play golf. They also had the opportunity to visit several European cities and countries. Les and Sheri lived a full and happy life together.

Les is survived by his wife Sheri of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Jaymi and Chris Thompson, Perry; son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Elizabeth Justus, Frisco, Texas; daughter and partner, Jacqui Justus and Thomas Bates, Stillwater; grandchildren, Aiden, Kian, Cameron, Anneliese, and Ronan; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Joy Justus, Perry; brother, Tom Justus, Santa Fe, New Mexico; mother-in-law, Margaret Seeliger, Perry; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Glenda and Don Andrew, Perry, Joyce and Lincoln Lambert, Stillwater, Kara and Richard Levings, Perry; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curt and Norma Justus, and his father-in-law, Glen Seeliger.

A memorial/remembrance for Les will be held Monday, July 22nd at 6:00 pm at the Perry High School Auditorium. Those attending are encouraged to wear their St. Louis Cardinals or favorite sports team gear. A service will also be held Tuesday, July 23rd at 10:00 am at the Christ Lutheran Church with a short graveside service following at Grace Hill Cemetery.

Casket bearers include Ronnie Delk, Brandon Hight, Travis Wilhelm, Garrett Beier, Tom Betchan, and Kyler Zagar. Honorary casket bearers include Don Betchan, Doug Hodge, Jeff Zagar, Rhonda Stevens, Brent Kemnitz, and Darby Colen.

Memorial contributions or checks may be written to the Perry High School Alumni Association (Perryokalumni.com or PO Box 327, Perry, OK 73077), the Christ Lutheran Church (Give.tithe.ly or 1301 N. 7th St, Perry, OK 73077), or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org or 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.)

A livestream will be available for both services. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077. We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Les at www.troutperry.com.

Source: Trout Funeral Home