Gary Ejnar Gustafson

Gary Ejnar Gustafson, age 90, of Kingsburg, CA, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2022 at Carmel Village Memory Care. Gary was born August 16, 1932 to Ejnar and Helen and was a lifelong resident of Kingsburg. He worked as a carpenter for most of his life, helped operate the family campground, Royal Oak Resort, and farmed. He married Elma Lee Kerr in April of 1955, had two children, Gregg and LeeAnn, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. With Elly's passing in 2007, and as fate would have it, Dad reconnected with his high school girlfriend, Greta. She is introduced as Dad's "Special Friend" and it's been a blessing to have her be a part of our family. When asked to write my Dad's obituary, I struggled only because the traditional format did little to showcase the man he was. A "SIMPLE" man. My Dad's story isn't one for the record books. He wasn't a composer of any great symphonies or played in the NFL (though he would have loved to), but what he did for me was invaluable, teaching me what he knew to be important in life. He epitomized hard work and taught me to be a perfectionist and to never quit. He showed me what it was like to live simply and within your means. But most importantly, he set the example of what it meant to truly love and how to care for your family. I learned what it meant to love someone unconditionally. Thank you Dad for these valuable lessons in life. Dad's passions centered around his time playing various sports in high school, football in college (for a short while) and Air Force. I've often said, he joined the military to play football not defend our country. But that of course wasn't true. Over the years, he traveled to his Air Force reunions, caught up with old friends and reminisced about old times with his football buddies. Airplanes were another obsession of his. He was fortunate enough to own his own plane and was in his element when he taxied down the runway and took flight into the friendly skies above. He has now piloted his way to his final runway and parked the plane in-HEAVEN. I will forever miss those great big calloused hands that built so many amazing things. That deafening volume that was required for him to hear anything. The enjoyment of watching him eat his favorite things in life, sweets. I will miss watching him love his grandkids and great grandkids, knowing that he deserved more time to watch them grow. More than anything, I will miss the feelings he instilled in me growing up. That I was special, important and loved. He was the greatest father I have ever known. Love you Dad. Gary was preceded in death by his wife Elly, son Gregg, father Ejnar and mother Helen. He is survived by his daughter LeeAnn and her husband Jim. Granddaughter Cortney and husband Mark. Great grandchildren Kennedy, Harper & Colton. Granddaughter Kacey and husband Sean. Great grandchildren Jackson & Taylor. Grandson Dylan and wife Gabby. Great grandchildren Bennett, Mia & Sasha. Daughter in law Lori. Grandchildren Kyle, Erin and Jamie Gustafson. Brother Duane Gustafson, and Sister Glenda Oliver and her husband Jim. Visitation will be held at Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel Thursday, September 1, 2022 from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Graveside service on Friday, September 2, 2022 at Kingsburg Cemetery at 10:00 A.M. Followed by a Celebration Of Life Luncheon at Kingsburg Historical Society Park 11:00 A.M Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Gary Ejnar Gustafson

August 16, 1932 - August 21, 2022