Jerry was born on December 10, 1928 in Turlock, CA to Albert and Luella Gustafson. He lived on a ranch in Denair with his parents and younger brother Lloyd (“Bud”), graduating from Denair High School and attending Modesto Junior College.
He spent the majority of his career in the banking industry in Merced, Turlock, Stockton, and Modesto, serving in a variety of managerial roles. He later opened a successful employment agency, Availability, in both Stockton and Modesto until retiring.
In 1953 he met his beloved wife Clarice in Turlock, CA at Beulah Covenant Church at one of their outdoor services under the big tree. They were married for 65 years. Jerry and Clarice went on to have two children, Lynette Anderson and Loren Gustafson.
After Jerry retired, he enjoyed traveling with Clarice and friends, and playing golf. The hobbies he enjoyed most were making wood toys for his grandchildren and selling them in community events, and especially enjoyed making beautiful stained glass pieces.
Jerry was very active in his community serving as president for many organizations including Lions Club of Modesto, Modesto Art Leagues’ Mistlin Gallery and Turlock’s Skandi Fest. He was always very active in his church (Beulah Covenant and Modesto Covenant).
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Clarice Cozart Gustafson, his parents Luella and Albert Gustafson and his brother Lloyd (Bud) Gustafson.
He is survived by daughter Lynette Anderson (Don), son Loren Gustafson (Terri), and grandchildren Michael Anderson, Lindsay Okuniewicz (Sean), Jason Anderson (Elisabeth), Krista Gustafson, and Jenna Gustafson. Nieces and Nephews Denys Aly (Nael), Sam Aly (Alex), Sarah Aly, Spencer Aly (Natasha), Sophie Alvernaz (Dominic), Sherry Balfour (Shane), Cynthia Olmsted, Sara Ringen, Steve Olmsted.
Jerry’s unwavering faith in God was the foundation upon which he built his life. He passed this on to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many others by both his words and actions. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends… until we meet again!
If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
You are invited to join in a Celebration of Life service for Jerry on October 1, 2022 at 2:00pm at Hope Church (formerly Beulah/Turlock Covenant), 316 S. Laurel St., Turlock, CA 95380.
Donations may be sent to the Covenant Living Benevolent Fund, 2125 N. Olive Ave Turlock, CA 95382.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Covenant Living of Turlock Care Center, where Jerry lived for eight years, for their amazing care!
Services for Gerald L. Gustafson are in the care of Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service (FD 504) in Turlock, California.
