Justyn Lair Graham, 96 of Warrensburg, Missouri passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023 in Warrensburg.  A life filled with family, friends, service, work, and travel; Justyn L. Graham often expressed a desire to do it all over again.

Justyn was born October 7, 1927 in Hutchinson, KS to Avis Exalee Lair Graham and Leon Ova Graham. His father passed away when Justyn was young and he and his mother made their home with maternal grandparents Bessie and Nathan Earl Lair on the family farm near Ridgeway, Missouri. After starting his education in a one-room rural school, Justyn attended elementary and secondary school in Ridgeway, graduating in 1945. Upon turning 18, Justyn joined the Navy Reserves and served in California.

After being placed on inactive duty, he attended NW Missouri State College at Maryville, where he met his future wife, Nadine Royston of rural Jameson, MO. Graduating with degrees in both elementary and secondary education, Justyn's career began in Atchison, KS. During his first year of teaching, Justyn was recalled to active duty with the Navy serving in Japan and Korea. After this tour of duty, Justyn returned to teaching in Atchison in 1951 marrying Nadine shortly thereafter. Soon they welcomed children Gayla and Marc into the family.

Being an adventurous soul, Justyn continued his education by going to school during the summers of 1952 to 1965 at both the University of Colorado (Boulder, CO) and the University of Northern Colorado (Greely, CO) finishing his Master's and Educational Doctorate degrees. In those pre-internet days, classes were held in person only. Justyn, Nadine and later the children moved with Justyn each summer so he could attend graduate school. Some of Justyn's friends compared this method of working on advanced degrees like to being kicked to death by a grasshopper.

Besides teaching in Atchison, Justyn also taught in Independence, MO before becoming an elementary principal in Savannah, MO and later, University City, MO. In 1967, Justyn joined the faculty at Central Missouri State College (now the University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg where he and Nadine spent many happy years working, participating in church and civic organizations, and making friends. Justyn was a proud member of the Sons of the American

Revolution (Martin Warren Chapter – Warrensburg), Kiwanis, United Methodist Men, AARP, Life Long Learning, National Association of Elementary Principals, and many other organizations and committees both professional and service oriented. Justyn was a committed church member and life-long member of the United Methodist church starting at Kirkley Chapel near his childhood home and for the last 56 years at First United Methodist in Warrensburg where he was a member of the Aldersgate Sunday School class.

Justyn lived at the Warrensburg Manor Care Center and the Warrensburg Veterans Home near the end of his life. The family sends heartfelt thanks to both nursing centers. Always ready with a joke, always ready to help a neighbor, always kind and polite, always grateful. Justyn was a firm believer in making the most of the dash in your life (in his case 1927- 2023). We miss you.

One of the joys of Justyn's life was spending time with his family including children and grandchildren. Justyn was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Nadine as well as a brother, Harlan Graham (Connie) of Elk Grove, CA. He is survived by his loving children, Gayla Strack (Gary) of Raymore, MO and Marc Graham of Willard, MO. Left to cherish his memory are two grandsons, Eric Strack (Jennifer) of Kansas City, MO and Timothy Strack (Meredith) of Liberty, MO as well as eight wonderful great-grandchildren Sophie, Stanley, Stella, Sybil, Braylen, Kayden, Adeline, and Emerson.

Funeral Services will be at the Williams Funeral Chapel, Warrensburg, MO on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 2 pm with Visitation at 1 pm. Interment will be at Kirkley Chapel Cemetery, Bethany, Missouri on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 1 pm.

Memorials are suggested to the Warrensburg First United Methodist Church or Kirkley Chapel.

Online Condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.