James R. Justin

James R. Justin, 84, of Clarks Summit passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on the afternoon of March 9. His wife, Frances, passed away in November of last year. The couple had been married 60 years.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Mabel (Davies) Justin. He married Frances Evans in 1957. They lived in Scranton, Texas, Minnesota, and New Jersey, ultimately returning to Clarks Summit.

He was educated in Clarks Summit schools. He earned a B.S. and M.S. in Agronomy from Penn State. In 1958, they moved to College Station, Texas, where he earned a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics. One of his proudest achievements was that he taught two Junior and Senior level courses for three years while still a graduate student. After earning his degree, he accepted a position as Extension (the educational arm of USDA) Forage Crops Specialist at the University of Minnesota. In 1967, he moved to Rutgers University as Field Crops Extension Specialist where he remained until his retirement in 1994.

While at Rutgers, James represented New Jersey in the Association of Official Seed Certification Agencies (AOSCA), an international organization assuring the genetic purity of field crop seed. He served a two-year term as President of the group. He was appointed by the USDA twice to two-year terms representing AOSCA in the federal committee that oversaw the Plant Variety Protection Act. He directed the research of three Ph.D. graduate students, one master's student, and served on numerous student graduate committees. He served two terms on the Agricultural College Appointments and Promotions Committee, once as Chairman.

After returning to Clarks Summit, Jim volunteered as a docent at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton for many years. He also served several terms as both Secretary and Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Museum. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, where he sang for many years as a tenor in the choir, served as an Elder, and a Deacon. He sang tenor in the St. David's Male Choir, which performed widely in Northeast Pennsylvania.

James is survived by a son, William Justin and his wife Karen, Kirbyville, TX; a daughter Elizabeth Romanski, and her husband Leonard, Factoryville, and three grand-daughters, Kimberly and Nicole Martin, Factoryville, and Katelyn Justin, TX.

He was preceded in death by a sister Alice Watkins of Bethlehem.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 17, at 10 am from the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, to be celebrated by Rev. William Carter, Pastor. Interment will be private in Evergreen-Woodlawn Cemetery.

A viewing will be held Friday, March 16, from 6-8pm from the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State St. Clarks Summit .

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the First Presbyterian Church or one's favorite charity.