Garland Lee Justus

1927 - 2021

Funeral services for Garland Lee Justus, 94, of Portales, NM will be held Monday, December 13, 2021, at 2:00 PM, at the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ with Dee Lancaster officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Clovis. Garland's grandsons, Ric Justus, Bryan Justus, Chris Justus, Wesley Hatley, Dusty Justus and Drew Hatley will serve as pallbearers. Those desiring to make memorial contributions may send them to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123, Tel: 1-800-227-2345, Web: http://www.cancer.org/
Garland Justus was born June 5, 1927, in Wellington, TX to Claude Hampton Justus and Martha Miriam Justus. He was raised in Muleshoe, Grady, Broadview and Fields area with 4 siblings, Orville Justus, C.H. Justus, Altha Mae Smith, and Jeannie Justus. He graduated from high school at Fields on May 10, 1945, and a few short months later at the age of 18, Garland was drafted into the US Military on September 5, 1945. Garland served overseas in the Korean Conflict until his discharge on January 24, 1947.
He returned to the family farm and worked the wheat fields, before leaving to work in construction. Garland was a hard worker with many talents that included truck driving, as well as road construction. He was involved in the construction of the highways in the area of Fields. He also helped in the building of roads and runways at Holloman Air Force base. He soon began work with a local farmer, Hiney Moberly, where he and Donna Faye Moberly met. Garland and Donna Faye married on November 6, 1948. Donna Faye was the love of his life.
Garland and Donna Faye had three children over the years: Mike, Danny and Pam. The family lived in Fields where he continued to ranch, farm and dairy. In 1957, he was awarded ""Outstanding Young Farmer"". He was nominated by the Field Farm Bureau, and it was an award that he was very proud of. Soon after, the family moved to Portales, where Garland and Donna Faye raised their family. They lived there for 60 years, and were lifetime members of the Church of Christ.
Garland and Donna Faye were married for 73 years. He loved all of his family which included their 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandkids.
Their 9 grandkids loved their Papa Garland. They will all miss him so dearly. We are so blessed and thankful that Chris and Mara were home with him to help him through his journey. The 17 great grandkids enjoyed his slobbery kisses and tight hugs. Garland loved babies and welcomed them all on the farm to ride horses and bottle feed the calves. He will be forever remembered by all of his family.
Garland Justus left this world surrounds by family in his home on December 8, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Orville Justus, C.H. Justus, Altha Mae Smith, Jeannie Musick and granddaughter, Allison Hatley.
Garland is survived by his wife Donna Faye; 3 children Mike (Judy) Justus of Clovis, Danny Justus and his companion, Priscilla Hromas of Portales, and Pam (Randie) Hatley of Clovis; 9 grandkids Ric, Bryan, Micah, Chris, Adria, Wesley, Drew, Dusty and Mara; 17 great grandkids Jonathan, Matthew, Emily, Skylar, Shelby, Luke, Faith, Jett, Raven, Jalen, Hailey, Otto, Knox, Gunner, Payton, Christopher and Henley; three great-great-grandchildren, Joey, Kyrie and Emerson; and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
Garland (Dad, Daddy, Papaw, Papa Garland) will be truly missed. He was our family's pillar to give us direction, and be successful in life. He shared so much knowledge and experience and love so willingly and easily. We hope to be just a fraction of what he was willing to share with all who knew him.


Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. 575-356-4455, wheelermortuary.net