10/28/2026
Arizona agriculture lost one of its quiet pillars this week. DeWayne Justice, the longtime citrus and cattle farmer at Justice Brothers Ranch in the Waddell area of Maricopa County, passed away at age 81.
The Justice family has farmed that ground since 1928—nearly a century of growing citrus (including one of Arizona’s longest continuously operated orchards, with many varieties of grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and more) and raising cattle. DeWayne carried that legacy with deep practical wisdom about water, irrigation, and making agriculture work in the desert.
He was a longtime Arizona Farm Bureau member (since 1970) and leader—serving on the state and Maricopa County boards for decades, including as county president, and receiving the 2021 Lifetime Service to Agriculture Award. He also led as president of the Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association of Arizona and served on boards tied to water and electrical districts and the Agribusiness & Water Council.
Those who worked with him remember a steady, knowledgeable voice—especially around the 1980 Groundwater Management Act era and the ongoing challenges of Arizona water. He mentored younger leaders and Farm Bureau staff, always ready to share hard-earned insight from the land and the policy rooms. Family meant everything: he worked alongside his son Selwyn on the ranch, and the multi-generational operation (including the U-Pick and connections to University of Arizona citrus efforts) reflected that commitment.
DeWayne embodied the best of Arizona farming—rooted in family, grounded in conservation, and generous with knowledge. His orchards, cattle, and the people he guided will carry his influence forward. Rest easy, DeWayne. Arizona agriculture is better because of you. Our thoughts are with the Justice family, friends, and the Farm Bureau community.
