Juli had just gone through over 30 hours labor, coached by Kenneth Lang, Justin’s father. Also cheering Juli on were grandparents Joe & Elaine Scott and Keith & Berta Lang. Ancillary support was provided by Becky Lang and Randal Ruth. Midwives Maggie Muelner and Barbara Floyd at the Gold Beach Birthing Center , Gold Beach , Oregon , cared for all parties. “Papa” Joe finally caught Justin at 8:40 P.M. Unfortunately not all of the stress ended there. The 7 lb. 4 oz. little boy was a bit blue. When his color was restored, everyone made the short trip to Curry General Hospital , where Justin was carefully monitored. Later in the week it was decided to Mercy Flight him to Medford , Oregon ’s Rogue Valley Medical Center . Justin made it home to Nesika Beach , Oregon when he was 12 days old and things finally settled down a bit.

Justin grew up with a smile on his face and laughter on his lips. Some of his favorite pastimes were climbing trees, rafting down the Rogue, digging in the dirt with his mom, sitting in his father’s lap watching TV, wrestling with his dog “Squirt”, chasing the ducks around the yard, and snuggling into bed for mom’s nightly book reading. In later years, Justin mastered riding his bike, climbing to the top of the trees, camping with Mom and stepdad Randy, and making friends everywhere he went. Justin thought there was never enough time spent with “Cousin Weasel”, “Aunt Toad”, Uncle Steve, “Aunt Pill”, and Uncle Doug. Justin loved his family and circle of friends. Making us laugh with his jokes and antics would always delight him. His full-bodied belly laugh was extremely contagious. He would practice his facial expressions in the mirror, bound to become the next Jim Carey. Justin’s school days started with a bang, or should we say slam. Justin’s first day of kindergarten at the Ophir School was not a wonderful educational experience. A schoolmate shut a door, accidentally pinching the tip of Justin’s right index. After a high speed run to the hospital in Randy’s van, X-rays showed the tip of the bone was chipped. Doctor Ted, with a sure hand, stitched it closed and the finger healed well, but the thought of “school” was never a very pleasant one for Justin. He loved the sports, the social activity, and his teachers, but studies sometimes became a hardship.

Justin enjoyed music, nature, bubbles, pets, toys, teasing, sleeping, farting, and loving his mother (not necessarily in that order). He had a sense of style that included various hats and caps, baggy pants and shirts, sweatshirts worn backward, and socks with sandals. On vacation, in the summer of ’97, Justin noticed his cousin Weasel had shaved his head. Juli loved his hair, but gave him permission to eliminate it. Weasel and Justin wandered around all day rubbing each other’s heads.

July 25th 1998, Saturday, Justin was on summer break at his dad’s home in Brookings, Oregon. In an unconscionably heinous act of violence, by a young man entrusted with his care for the day, Justin was taken from this world. He was 9 & ½ years young. We miss him everyday.
Written by Randal Ruth & Juli Scott