KERMIT JUSTICE
Kermit Justice
Age 75, former Delaware Secretary of Transportation passed peacefully on Thursday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital surrounded by his family after an extended battle with cancer.Born in War Eagle, West Virginia, he is the son of Dexter and Claira Ann Justice. He graduated from Elkton High School and received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware. Justice was also a graduate of the Senior Executive Government Leadership Program of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Justice served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.
As a business executive for 18 years in the chemical industry, he worked for three local firms, Halby Chemical of New Castle, as Regional Director for Witco Chemical and as CEO and President of Winner Chemical.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Rita, a former New Castle County Executive, Register of Wills and world champion bowler.
In addition, Justice is survived by his son, Kevin his wife, Theresa and their children, Kevin Michael and Katherine Rita of Jupiter, Fla; his son, Kermit Jr. of Middletown and his daughter Kimberly Bowers, her husband, Robert and their three children, Brandon Lee, Dylan Robert and Alexis Michelle of Wilmington. Justice has five surving sisters, Juanita Liskey, Barbara White, Shirley Money, Debra Justice Sarver and Susan Justice as well as 17 nieces and nephews, 19 great nieces and nephews and 1 great, great nephew. He was pre-deceased by his parents and brother Harlin.
Justice served two terms in the State House of Representatives from 1970 to 1974.
In January 1979, Governor Pete Dupont appointed him Delaware's Secretary of Transportation and Governor Michael Castle re appointed him in January 1985.
Under Secretary Justice, the Transportation Trust Fund was established, which provided the funding that modernized the DelDot and inaugurated a structured long-term road improvement program and transportation system.
As a public official, he was recognized for his hands on management, understanding of the big picture and even handed treatment of all points of view including those who disagreed with him.
Justice championed the U.S 13.Relief Route now Del 1. Under his leadership the $500 million project reshaped Delaware, easing the beach -traffic gridlock.
In 1990, despite the vigorous and determined opposition of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Justice developed and co-coordinated the strategy of Governor Castle's office; Delaware's Congressional delegation of
Senators Biden and Roth and Congressman Carper that secured Federal funding of over $ 100 million to build the Route 1 Bridge (Roth Bridge) over the C and D canal.
Recognized by his peers for his innovative leadership in transportation, Justice was first elected President of the Northeast Association of State Highway and Transportation officials (NASHTO).
Then, in 1990, he was elected head of the national transportation organization, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials (ASHTO) While serving as President of ASHTO, he participated with President George Herbert Walker Bush in the signing ceremony for the ten-year reauthorization of the National Highway Trust Fund and Transportation Act.
Active in the community, Justice was a Little League and football coach for over 15 years, Boy Scout leader, involved in programs of the Elks and Boys and Girls Clubs. He was a member of the executive committee of the Republican State Committee.
Visitation will be for 6-9 pm. Tuesday at the Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike and a Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am Wednesday August 18 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Brandywine Hundred. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Road, and Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kermit Justice Scholarship Foundation, a trust being established by the family to benefit students needing financial support for education. Contributions may be sent to the Kermit Justice Scholarship Foundation. C/o William Copperthwaite Jr. Esq. at 111 Greenbriar Drive West Chester Pa. 19382.
www.chandlerfuneralhome.com
[published 08/15/2010]
KERMIT JUSTICE
Kermit Justice
Age 75, former Delaware Secretary of Transportation passed peacefully on Thursday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital surrounded by his family after an extended battle with cancer.Born in War Eagle, West Virginia, he is the son of Dexter and Claira Ann Justice. He graduated from Elkton High School and received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware. Justice was also a graduate of the Senior Executive Government Leadership Program of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Justice served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.
As a business executive for 18 years in the chemical industry, he worked for three local firms, Halby Chemical of New Castle, as Regional Director for Witco Chemical and as CEO and President of Winner Chemical.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Rita, a former New Castle County Executive, Register of Wills and world champion bowler.
In addition, Justice is survived by his son, Kevin his wife, Theresa and their children, Kevin Michael and Katherine Rita of Jupiter, Fla; his son, Kermit Jr. of Middletown and his daughter Kimberly Bowers, her husband, Robert and their three children, Brandon Lee, Dylan Robert and Alexis Michelle of Wilmington. Justice has five surving sisters, Juanita Liskey, Barbara White, Shirley Money, Debra Justice Sarver and Susan Justice as well as 17 nieces and nephews, 19 great nieces and nephews and 1 great, great nephew. He was pre-deceased by his parents and brother Harlin.
Justice served two terms in the State House of Representatives from 1970 to 1974.
In January 1979, Governor Pete Dupont appointed him Delaware's Secretary of Transportation and Governor Michael Castle re appointed him in January 1985.
Under Secretary Justice, the Transportation Trust Fund was established, which provided the funding that modernized the DelDot and inaugurated a structured long-term road improvement program and transportation system.
As a public official, he was recognized for his hands on management, understanding of the big picture and even handed treatment of all points of view including those who disagreed with him.
Justice championed the U.S 13.Relief Route now Del 1. Under his leadership the $500 million project reshaped Delaware, easing the beach -traffic gridlock.
In 1990, despite the vigorous and determined opposition of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Justice developed and co-coordinated the strategy of Governor Castle's office; Delaware's Congressional delegation of
Senators Biden and Roth and Congressman Carper that secured Federal funding of over $ 100 million to build the Route 1 Bridge (Roth Bridge) over the C and D canal.
Recognized by his peers for his innovative leadership in transportation, Justice was first elected President of the Northeast Association of State Highway and Transportation officials (NASHTO).
Then, in 1990, he was elected head of the national transportation organization, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials (ASHTO) While serving as President of ASHTO, he participated with President George Herbert Walker Bush in the signing ceremony for the ten-year reauthorization of the National Highway Trust Fund and Transportation Act.
Active in the community, Justice was a Little League and football coach for over 15 years, Boy Scout leader, involved in programs of the Elks and Boys and Girls Clubs. He was a member of the executive committee of the Republican State Committee.
Visitation will be for 6-9 pm. Tuesday at the Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike and a Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am Wednesday August 18 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Brandywine Hundred. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Road, and Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kermit Justice Scholarship Foundation, a trust being established by the family to benefit students needing financial support for education. Contributions may be sent to the Kermit Justice Scholarship Foundation. C/o William Copperthwaite Jr. Esq. at 111 Greenbriar Drive West Chester Pa. 19382.
www.chandlerfuneralhome.com
[published 08/15/2010]
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