Lincoln Bruce Justice (Seymour)'s Obituary
Lincoln Bruce Justice left his earthly life on November 25th, 2018 surrounded by people that loved him. He passed away at home from heart complications after a routine prostate surgery, at the age of 89. Lincoln was born March 21, 1929 in Sanderson, Texas to Rev. William McKinley Justice and Thelma Minnie (Dunagan) Justice, one of their two children. As the son of a Methodist minister, Lincoln lived in several different places in west and central Texas, New Mexico, and New Jersey. Lincoln graduated from high school in Lyndhurst, NJ in 1947 and graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. While in college, Lincoln felt the call to be a minister. He then attended Drew Methodist Seminary in Madison, NJ and achieved his Master of Divinity in 1954.
Over the years, Lincoln served at least a dozen churches in the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he pastored for 33 years. His deep interest in environmental stewardship led him to take four years off of pastoral ministry to initiate a project that explored the conservation of energy and use of alternative energy sources.
His first church in Nebraska was in Nelson, NE, where he met and married a young school teacher, Rose Marie Bengston on December 30th, 1956. Desiring to have a family, but not able to do so, together they adopted three children Tim, Laura, and Hope; and took in a young boy, who became like a son, John. After a serious car accident that left Rose Marie paralyzed, and believing it would be both financially and medically beneficial for her, they divorced in 1989.
In 1992, at a healing touch workshop at a monastery in Hastings, NE, he met his lifelong friend, companion, and partner, Rachel Ann Garner. They married on June 12th, 1993 and were married for 25 years. Lincoln stepped into the role as stepfather to her two children Kyle and Kieve. Ever inquisitive about all things, together he and Rachel explored the unusual and challenging issues; travelling, interviewing, researching, inspiring others and teaching. Eventually retiring and moving to Seymour, MO.
Lincoln was an explorer, traveler, and risk taker, who was not afraid to try new things. He had a strong love for humanity, and commitment to working for peace and social justice. Among his many achievements were learning to fly a small airplane, travelling the world, living in Denmark, and organizing and conducting a travel seminar with his father, Rev. William Justice that took 39 adults around the world in 50 days. Later taking part in a Peace Seminar that worked with leaders in education, religion, and government in East Germany, Czech., Poland, and Holland. He planned and built the first earth sheltered house with Rose Marie in Lincoln, NE; became the co-director of the Prairie Peace Park - 12 miles south of Lincoln, NE; and established the Healing Quest group with Rachel Garner in Juniata, NE. He founded the Food Net in Lincoln, NE; Thousand Gardens Project and Well Fed Neighbor Alliance in Springfield, MO. Later founding the Discovery and Galactic Kids groups in Springfield, MO.
Lincoln was truly a people person, who loved telling jokes and making people laugh; making an impression on everyone he came in contact with. He loved his family, and he loved Jesus; freely sharing this love as a pastor and as a friend with everyone.
Lincoln was preceded in death by his father, Rev. William Justice; mother, Thelma (Dunagan) Justice; and former wife Rose Marie (Bengston) Justice. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Rachel Garner of Seymour, MO; children: Tim Justice and Linda (Rabener) Justice of Bellingham, WA; Laura (Justice) Evans and Scott Evans of Ravenna, NE; Hope (Justice) Josefiak of Omaha, NE; John Shimko and Julie (Christian) Shimko of Urbandale, IA; and step children: Kyle Garner of Austin, TX, and Kieve Garner of Seymour, MO; ten grandchildren, a handful of great grandchildren; and sister Rev. Ruth (Justice) Moorer of Las Cruces, NM.
A celebration of Lincoln's life will be held at 2:00 pm on January 19th, 2019, at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO 65807
Memorial donations in memory of Lincoln may be made to Amnesty International USA. Amnesty International USA, 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Or by calling: 1-800-AMNESTY.
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