2015: Dr. E. Jeff Justis
Jeff Justis has been a SAPFM member since its inception. An orthopedic surgeon for forty years at the reknowned Campbell's Clinic in Memphis Tennessee, he was able to retire in 2001 to pursue his interest in woodworking full time. His home near Oxford, Mississippi is filled with museum-quality reproductions he has created.
Jeff has built fine furniture all his life. Starting off as a small boy, he acquired tools, helped his father build a small shop, built furniture during grade and high school, college, medical school, surgical practice at an orthopedic clinic, and retirement. Since 1952 he has built many period pieces including Queen Ann chairs, tall case clocks, a pie crust table, a secretary, a Duncan Phyfe dining table, a John Marshall desk, and a Stradivarius-style violin that his daughter played in a concert.
Jeff has written articles on furniture making including excellent ones in Period Furniture on the details and construction of an original designed breakfront and on perspective in building small-scale furniture. As a skilled carver, he has carved hands displayed in his home, in a San Francisco museum, and at a hand society meeting in Japan. At medical school and at the orthopedic clinic, Jeff taught students and associates woodworking skills as well as shop safety. As a specialist in hand surgery, he has written articles on shop safety for woodworkers and the medical profession . As a pilot at the clinic, he participated in Lifeline pilots, flying cancer and other patients to hospitals for treatment.