Jack Gerald Justman (Jackie)

On Oct. 13, 2023, Jack Gerald Justman (Jackie) checked out of this world and took the last wagon train to the most glorious mining camp in the sky.

Jack was born to Jack and Jerry Justman in California on April 6, 1938. His family soon moved to Fallon, Nevada, where they bought a ranch in Stillwater and where he attended the Stillwater School.  His father owned a rock company.  They spent many days and hours collecting rocks throughout Nevada for the aquariums in California.  They later moved closer to town, where he attended Churchill County High School.  A few years later, he signed up for the National Guard where he served for 8 years.

Jack was a free spirit with a heart of gold.  He treated everyone with a kind and soft heart.  He took care of his mother for 5 years, until she passed on.

Jack should have been born 150 years ago.  He was a miner who owned a mine in Ione.  His skills and talents were best suited to a life of the old West. He was a blacksmith, wheelwright, wagon restorer, a man who spent many a day hanging out with old-time miners learning and listening to the old ways.  He taught more than a few how to build a forge and how to blacksmith.  He was an expert in black powder guns and enjoyed teaching people how to shoot them.  He looked at what would be junk and said, “It’s almost new,” then proceeded to fix it up.  He loved showing folks his skills.

Jack worked for numerous ranches around Fallon.  He never married or had children, but he became good friends with John Damazio and watched John’s daughter Gloria Montero grow up.  When she had children, he took it upon himself to take on a big role in their lives.

Jack helped many youths with rock collections and reports for school.

The mountains were his favorite place, and Virginia City was his favored spot for his birthdays.  He could dance up a storm and was extremely talented with musical instruments, especially the harmonica.

Gary Wayne Justman, Jack’s nephew, took care of him over the past few years.  Jack leaves behind his brother, Gary Leroy Justman, and numerous nephews.  He also leaves behind the Damazio and Montero family, who called him family, as well as numerous friends.

Those fortunate enough to meet Jack in the most glorious mining camp in the sky will, no doubt, be treated to his generosity, his knowledge of the arts and skills of the old West, and his rich and astonishing stories. 

We invite all who knew Jackie to join us for a Celebration of Life on November 11, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Lattin Farms in Fallon. We will have a potluck. Bring your black powder guns to do a shoot in remembrance.