John Gustafson, 79
Our beloved husband, father and Papa, John "Dr. G." Alvin Gustafson, born December 12,1932 has gone on to be with the Lord as of June 5, 2012.
- John Gustafson
Our beloved husband, father and Papa, John "Dr. G." Alvin Gustafson, born December 12,1932 has gone on to be with the Lord as of June 5, 2012.
John was born December 12, 1932 to Alfred Ruben Gustafson and Stella Evelyn (Spilseth) Gustafson in Kensington. John graduated from Alexandria High School in 1950, where he received an athletic scholarship from St. Olaf College. He excelled in athletics and was a 'Little All American, End' and graduated in 1955. John earned his MA degree from the University of Northern Colorado and then his PhD from the University of Utah.
John brought his family to New Mexico in 1972 to take a position as a professor of physical education at the University of New Mexico, where he faithfully taught and served for more than 30 years.
John married June Anne Day in Big Springs, Texas in 1956, while he was serving in the United States Air Force as a pilot. After his service was completed, John and June moved to Alexandria, where they began their much beloved family of John Allan Gustafson, born March 27, 1961, Jodi Day Gustafson, born March 18, 1963, and Jill Gustafson, born September 9, 1967. Jill married David Shingledecker in 1992, whom John considered a devoted son.
John was blessed with two grandchildren: Hollie Shingledecker, born September 26, 1997 and Joseph Shingledecker, born April 17, 2000, both of whom he dearly loved and who greatly enriched his life. John considered one of his greatest achievements to be teaching them both to “play ball.”
John's life was marked by his deep love of God, his love and commitment to his family and helping his fellow man through his constant display of the Great Commission. John was a man of God, a devoted husband and father, a teacher, mentor and coach, a servant of all men and a true friend. John will be greatly missed and his legacy will continue in the programs and lives he touched.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Albuquerque Rescue Mission or the Calvary of Albuquerque Food Bank.
A memorial service was held Friday, June 8 at The Hub at Calvary of Albuquerque, 4001 Osuna Rd NE.
An online guestbook for John can be found at: RememberTheirStory.com.
Arrangements are with French Funerals and Cremation, 9300 Golf Course Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM; (505) 897-0300.
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Dennis B.
We lost a great friend with the passing of John Gustafson. It seems strange to think that John is not walking this earth anymore or that I will not be able to see him in this world. He was an everyday hero to me. Great quiet, humble leader. Fierce competitor. Great athlete. I was a classmate of John's at Alexandria High School when he led our basketball team to the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament in 1950. We were a better than average team but without John's leadership we could not have gone as far as we did. He was a star on the football team too and we shared pitching duties on the baseball team. In my humble opinion, I believe John is the best all-around athlete in Alexandria High School history. John and I shared other aspects of our lives. We were both confirmed in our faith by Dr. O.O. Gustafson from the Svea Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alexandria. We were both members of the Eagle Patrol in Boy Scout Troop 174. John was Patrol leader. After graduating from High School we shared a dorm room in Ytterboe Hall on the campus of St.Olaf College, Northfield during our freshman year. John beat me at cards too. After college we both entered the service and drifted apart. I think the last time I saw John we happened to bump into each other at an Alexandria Football game. We watched and talked. Then John and June moved west. I have attended numerous class reunions in hope of seeing him but health prevented him from attending. I wish I could have seen him one more time. I will miss him but remember "those days of our youth', He was a man of great faith. I know I will see him again, someday. May the Lord take him swiftly into his arms and grant him eternal rest Dennis Bergner. AHS, Class of 1950Sauk Rapids, MN 06/12/2012 1:37 PM
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