Richard W Just

Richard W. Just passed away this past Thursday, October 17 at 2:40 in the afternoon. Family and friends were at his side.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary (Radabaugh) Just and his sons, Mark (Ruthie), Jim (Veronica Collins), and John (Janet). He is predeceased by his oldest son, Dr. Richard Douglas Just (Tammy). Surviving him are his sisters, Rose Whitney and Erma Bender and his brother, Henry Just. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Thomas, Tarah, Ashley, Jessica, Zachary, Jayda and Jackson Just. He is predeceased by his father, Mathias Just, his mother, Suzanna (Thoricht), and his sisters, Elsie Young, and Freda Fleshman.

He will be remembered most by his friendly smile and laugh and his dedication to his family – always in attendance at their major events, and also his work where he received numerous safety awards and recognition.

Born and raised on a farm in Suffield, Ohio – a farm which is now Suffield Springs Golf Course he graduated from Suffield High School in 1947 where his fondest memories included playing on the basketball team and doing all kinds of things with his long-time friend, Paul Biro who was at his side on the day he passed away.

After working roughly ten years for Carmichael Construction Company he joined Ruhlin Construction Company in 1959 – on the day his third son, Jim was born. He remained with Ruhlin for the next 32 years until he retired in 1991. At Ruhlin, he was the Job Superintendent for many notable buildings and projects including the bridges on Interstate 76 between Akron and Youngstown, Cascade Plaza in Downtown Akron, Stow High School, Green Cross Hospital and First United Methodist Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Center, Akron General Hospital, St. Thomas Hospital (Akron), Akron Baptist Temple, Youngstown University Library and the Nationwide II Office Building in Columbus, Ohio to name just a few.

He married Mary Radabaugh in 1952 and lived in Cuyahoga Falls until 1968 when he moved his family of four boys to Rootstown, Ohio. He lived in the same house for the remainder of his life. As a resident of Rootstown, he was instrumental in the design and building of Gracie Fields, the restoration of the historic post office building and served as an officer in the Rootstown Historical Society. He cheerfully volunteered and served at his church, the Lions Club and several other organizations. After retiring in 1991 he devoted much of his time to genealogy and prepared many reports for family members and friends. He had over 25,000 names in his database and he made a point to email or talk to many of them.

Special thanks to Bonnie’s Home Healthcare for their kind and excellent service. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Monday at the 1 ^st Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Rootstown with Rev. Susan Woodall officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Akron, Oh. Memorial donations may be made to the Rootstown Historical Society, P.O. Box 83, Rootstown, OH 44272.