Justus Howell Fugate

Justus Howell Fugate, 83, died Wednesday, October 14, 2020. A native Wichitan, proud Shocker and a 1962 graduate of Wichita State University with a MA in mathematics. Justus was an accomplished businessman, passionate in his community involvement and was proud of his Scottish heritage, from Clan Campbell and Clan McKeever. Justus was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Aldrich Fugate (1937-2003); sister, Jane Braucher Fugate, BA, MA, BSN, and his parents, Justus Henley Fugate, and Josephine (Braucher) Fugate. He is survived by a son, Kenneth (Nancy) Justus; grandsons, Alexander Justus and Benjamin Charles, all of whom gave him great joy. Also survived by his beloved brother, Joseph (Judy) Braucher Fugate, PhD, a professor, emeritus of mathematics at University of Kentucky. Surviving nieces and nephews are Joseph Braucher Sieverling (Danielle), David Justus Sieverling (Jenny), Christine Fugate, Marianne Fox, Paul Peter Finney and their families; Taylor Jane Sieverling. Braucher Sieverling, Catherine Alida Jacobs, Sara Jeanne Jacobs; God children Marie Hibbard Porter and Justin Stingley Hibbard; Namesake Justus Harrison Lockamy; Extended family Shane McLaury; Special friends, Laura B. Prelle, Christopher S. Jackel and Ann Norine Child-Smith. Justus was born in Wichita in 1937 and his entire education was obtained there. Six previous generations of his family received a higher education, which reflected Justus’ belief of the importance of education in the world. His efforts included: College Hill Elementary 1948 Robinson Intermediate 1952 East High and Latin Club, NHS 1955 Wichita State, BA Mathematics 1960 Mathematics Honorary, Pi Mu Epsilon 1960 Wichita State, MA Mathematics 1962 A successful businessman, Justus’ early career was with IBM in its Data Process Division, first as a systems engineer (1962-1965) and then as a marketing representative (1965-1967). This was followed by an association with the CPA firm, Elmer Fox and Company, directing its data processing services. Later, he created and developed six different companies over a 40-year period. These included corporate ventures in computer software, plastics, water, banking and finance. He co-founded five businesses between 1969 and 1998 with Wichita State alumni colleagues and sold several businesses between 1969 and 2009. He enjoyed his reputation as an entrepreneur and that characteristic pervaded his life. In his last business activity, he served for 14 years as chairman of Konza Valley Capital Inc., a private equity investor of $52,000,000, a portfolio comprised of 30 companies, in 14 states. He was proud that his parents were an influential couple in Wichita. Justus Henley Fugate, was a prominent attorney with a long record of service to Wichita, including his election as mayor in 1959. Josephine B. Fugate was president of the Board of Regents of the University of Wichita and later served as Dean of Women and professor of mathematics and statistics at Wichita State. Justus followed his parents’ example of civic involvement and served as president, officer or volunteer with more than 20 prominent organizations in Wichita over his lifetime. He was a successful volunteer fundraiser when called upon, and in 2015 was honored by the Wichita chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his efforts. Wichita State University was one of his passions. He helped establish the first computing center at the university in 1967, as well as equipping the office responsible for the WSU Foundation’s Annual Fund. For nearly 25 years he was a member of the WSU Foundation’s National Advisory Council and for 12 of those years served on the Board of Directors. He was a Life Member of both the President’s Club and the Fairmount Society and an Honorary member of the Student Ambassador Society. His financial commitments were extensive, but certainly music and mathematics were major interests. In 2010, President Donald L Beggs awarded him the Board of Trustees Award. Justus was the last president of the Men of Webster, founded as a campus fraternity in 1895 and helped it affiliate with a national organization, Delta Upsilon in 1959. In 2019 he was inducted into the Wichita Webster chapter, Delta Upsilon Hall of Fame for his dedicated contributions. He served as President/Chief Bull, in Bulls and Bears Investments, Kansas’ oldest club. Botanica, The Wichita Garden, founded in 1987, was Justus’ remaining interest. He served in leadership positions in Botanica and helped develop a leadership model for future boards. Upon retirement from the board he was awarded Trustee, emeritus status. He is survived by many other valued friends and colleagues. Services for Justus will include a 3:00 - 5:00 pm visitation with family, Sunday, October 18 at Downing and Lahey East Mortuary and graveside service is 1:00 pm Monday October 19 at Old Mission Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be sent to Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260 and Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 Amidon St., Wichita, KS 67203. Downing and Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.