Ed Justice, Sr., the last of three brothers who founded Justice Brothers, Inc. has died.

Words cannot possibly express the sadness that I feel informing you of my father’s passing this morning at 4:30am, August 30, 2008. Over the past 2 years, he has fought a spirited battle with many health issues, always refusing to give up the fight. During this time my father has taught us all what the power of a strong will can achieve. Right up until the end, he held the hope of a better tomorrow. Unfortunately, 87 years of a full life had taken its toll.

It goes without saying that the loss of my father will stay with many of us for the rest of our days. This is also the case with my two uncles, Gus and Zeke. I’ve always felt that I was truly blessed to mentor under three different and truly great men. What better teachers to learn the unique business I’m in, then from three of the pioneers. They were there for the beginnings of all of the modern racing series we enjoy today, the infancy of the automobile, and much more.

For the past 25 years, I’ve been able to lead Justice Brothers with the full support of my Dad. As all of you know, he may have left active participation in the business, but the business never left him. He lived for the daily updates from me on what we were bringing to market, what racer just won on behalf of the Justice Brothers brand, the story of a new distributor and their progress and the multitude of other business issues that make up a normal day. He was a great cheerleader!

His love for life was indisputable. He and I both talked about the thrill and challenge of selling our products “on the street”. My Dad loved people and selling was for him all about meeting people and building relationships. It was through these images that lead me into the public arena through both performing magic and hosting a radio show. Every Saturday I would call and tell him who was on my show and what subjects we covered. A better audience then my Dad did not exist.

Ed Justice, Sr. in a replica of the first NASCAR championship car that he and his brothers sponsored.

Ed Justice, Sr.

June 12, 1921 - August 30, 2008

Duarte, CA - Ed Justice, Sr., the last of three brothers who founded Justice Brothers, Inc. which would become a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of car care additives, lubricants and cleaners, has died. He was 87.

Justice died August 30, 2008 of complications due to kidney failure in Arcadia, California, said son Ed Justice, Jr.

With $2,500 profit from a racecar they built in their garage, Justice and his brothers Zeke and Gus started Justice Brothers, Inc. in Southern California. In turn, it was built into one of the world’s leading brands for professional mechanics and consumers. When Justice retired 20 years ago, the company manufactured 13 products, today the product line numbers in excess of 100. Zeke concentrated on the mechanical side and the formulation of the products while Gus handled the accounting and money side. Gus retired from the business in 1974 and Zeke retired in 1980.

From the youngest age, Justice had shown a great interest in all things mechanical and in particular the automobile. His first business was renting bicycles, which he and his brother Zeke had re-built, to the local towns’ people in their hometown of Paola, Kansas.

Justice and his brothers invented the world’s first transmission stop-leak and many other innovative products in their field. “My dad and his brothers were stereotypical Midwesterners who came to California to find a better life, and they did. The big reason for their move to California was because it was the center of hot rodding and Indianapolis style racing, with most of the top car builders located there. They knew they had to be part of this”, said Ed Justice, Jr.

Justice was the only brother of the three to serve in the military during World War II. He was a member of the 8^th Air Force, stationed in England. Justice was known as a salesman’s salesman and always stated you needed a quick step and a firm handshake to get ahead. Because of this, he was known as the most visible of the three brothers. This led to Justice appearing in live broadcast television commercials in Jacksonville, Florida at the very beginnings of the medium. Justice and the company became part of the landscape across the United States and in particular a television icon in Southern California. Every commercial was ended with what was to become the well-known phrase “Tell them Ed Justice sent you”.

Edward R. Justice, Sr. was born June 12, 1921 in Paola, Kansas to Harry and Anna Justice. His father died at the age of 59.

While living in Southern California, Justice met his first wife Maureen, herself a Nebraska transplant. The couple married in 1947. Maureen died in 1983.

Justice is survived by his son, Ed Justice, Jr.; and daughter in law, Susan; their two daughters Courtney and Caitlin. At the time of Justice’s death, he was married to second wife Linda of Arcadia, California. Also surviving are Ed’s two stepdaughters Candy; her husband Noe; Judy; her husband Art; and six step grandchildren.

Justice who was one of six children is survived also by one sister Marie, of Monrovia, California.

www.justicebrothers.com

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