By CHAD COOPER
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One of Buchanan County’s schools will carry a new name beginning this fall after the Buchanan County School Board voted unanimously to honor one of the division’s most respected educational leaders.
During its June 2 meeting, the Buchanan County School Board approved a motion to rename Hurley Elementary/Middle School as Tommy P. Justus Elementary/Middle School, recognizing the late educator’s more than five decades of service to Buchanan County Public Schools.
The motion was made by Knox District School Board member Tommy Blankenship and seconded by Garden District representative Ray Blankenship. The measure passed unanimously.
Family members said the recognition is a fitting tribute to a man whose life was devoted to education and the children of Buchanan County.
“To us, he was Dad/Papaw – to generations of students and educators, he was a mentor, leader and friend,” Justus’s daughter Setema Justus said. “He dedicated more than 50 years serving the community in nearly every role imaginable-from teaching Biology, to Principal, Director of Instruction and then Superintendent. He was always so committed to helping young people succeed. We are incredibly humbled and grateful that this lifelong dedication to education will be remembered through a school in his hometown that will continue shaping future generations.”
Justus’ son, Tom “Tom Boy” Justus, said the family is grateful for the honor.
“It means a lot,” Justus said. “We are very thankful and appreciative of those who made it happen. It is humbling to see dad’s dedication to education and the school system honored in this way. He loved this county and it’s people and invested his life in providing them the best opportunities for success.”
A 1959 graduate of Hurley High School, Justus earned a degree from Pikeville College in 1963 and later became a proud alumnus of University of Virginia.
He began his career in Buchanan County as a teacher in the Hurley area before advancing to principal. In 1986, he moved to the school division’s central office as director of instruction, a position he held until Jan. 1, 1998, when he became division superintendent following the retirement of Paul Hatfield.
Justus served as superintendent from Jan. 1, 1998, through June 30, 2012, and again from Feb. 19, 2015, through Jan. 18, 2016. In total, he spent more than 50 years working in Buchanan County’s school system.
His wife, Bonnie Sue Brown Justus, also devoted her career to education, serving as a teacher in the Hurley schools.
Known for his sincerity, extensive vocabulary and unwavering support of students and educators, Justus was also an avid supporter of the University of Virginia’s athletic programs and proudly identified as a “Wahoo.”
The Tommy P. Justus Elementary/Middle School is a feeder school for Southern Gap High School, which is scheduled to open this fall.
