EVENTS
Businessman
Rodeo Supporter
Born in 1917, John Justin, Jr. grew up in the leather-working tradition of the famed Justin Boot Company, founded in 1879. After attending Texas Christian University, Justin established his own western belt enterprise in 1938. He rejoined the family boot business in 1949 and, after assuming the presidency in 1952, soon transformed Justin Boots into the national concern which became Justin Industries in 1968.
John Justin, Jr. became affiliated with rodeo as a youth at Fort Worth’s Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show rodeo. Since the early 1950s, he has been an enthusiastic fan of the sport and an avid supporter of professional rodeo athletes. Justin founded the Justin Sports Medicine Program in the early 1980s to provide medical attention to injured contestants through mobile rehabilitation centers. He and his company also initiated the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which has provided financial relief to PRCA competitors injured in the arena since 1989.
At his induction into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1998, Justin observed, “I’ve always loved rodeo and rodeo people. All my association with rodeo has been good.”
