Just, Michael Charles, 66, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2016.
Born to the late Elmore and LaVern Just, Michael grew up in Shively with 5 brothers and sisters. He attended St. Helen and Flaget High School. He won a golf scholarship to Bellarmine University, where he was invited to play in the NCAA Division 2 golf tournament in 1970.
Michael first taught at Flaget and Trinity High Schools before joining his brothers at Louisville Golf Company to create some of the finest persimmon golf clubs in the world. A reluctant work trip became his life’s passion when he played hickory golf for the first time. A natural tinkerer, Michael spent years creating authentic replicas of old hickory clubs, making the game accessible to many and building a new legacy for Louisville Golf. He has been called the “Van Gogh” of hickory golf and was recently honored with a “Keeper of the Spirit” award by his golf friends and colleagues.
While Michael was building relationships in the golf world, he was also building a family with his wife of 39 years, Lynn Briggs Just. He took great pride in his children and incredible joy from his granddaughter, who called him Pops. He always manned the fryer at the annual Labor Day celebration at the family camp on the river, where he loved spending time with his nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Elmore Just and his sister, Dian Whetstone.
Michael is survived by his wife, Lynn Briggs Just; son, Benjamin Just (Renee); daughters, Emily Just (Josh Roberts) and Rachel Just (Robert Irwin); and his granddaughter, Meredith Claire Just; brothers, Ronald Just (Sharon), Robert Just (Kathleen) and Gerard Just (Rose); sister-in-law, Lawren Just-Garmon; brother-in-laws, Bill Briggs, and Amos Whetstone; friend, Henry Agueros; godsons, Brian Just, Jason Whetstone, and Jared Just; and many nieces, nephews, countless lifelong friends, and fellow golfers.
The family would like to thank Drs. Rezazadeh and Smith, Peg and Tracy for their tremendous care and support of Michael and the Just family.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am Friday, October 7, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with burial to follow in St. Michael Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 pm Thursday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in his name to the Society of Hickory Golfers, 336 Chestnut Street, Wyandotte, MI 48192.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Charles Just, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.