Conrad William Gustafson

He was born June 5, 1922 to Mary Belle Victoria Stow and John Magne Gustafson in Portland, Oregon. Gus graduated from Benson Technical High School and went on to join the U.S. Coast Guard where he served during World War II. It was while stationed on Long Island in New York that he met and married Ann Marie Lisa in June of 1943. In 1944 after the birth of his first son, Gerald Robert, Gus moved his family to the West Coast and was stationed at Crescent City, California where he served the remainder of his time with the Coast Guard. For those that knew him, they will remember that Gus often spoke very fondly of his time at the lighthouse there.

It was 1946 when Gus returned to the Portland area where he and Ann settled in Beaverton. They continued to grow their family with the addition of children John Charles, Richard Allen and Jeannie Marie. Over the years to follow Gus leveraged his technical skills and natural curiosity for building and fixing things to find employment as a mechanic. He worked for Container Corporation of America for 37 years before retiring in 1984. Even in retirement, you could always find Gus working on the boat, the motor home, any number of household appliances or repairing/fixing anything that needed it.

An avid sportsman, Gus loved to fish and always looked forward to annual hunting trips. Family and friends alike hold many great memories of the camping trips they shared with Gus over the course of his lifetime. With fishing being a great love, second only to that he had for Ann and his family, he continued to fish into his 89th year. Gus also loved bowling and shared this love with his children, as well as his grandchildren, at early ages. With the many leagues and tournaments in which he participated, Gus helped to create many lasting memories and strong family ties, as well as life-long friendships.

Gus’ beloved Ann, with whom he shared 58 years, passed in February 2000. He is survived by son, Gerald of Tigard and his wife, Chris; son John of Vancouver, WA and his wife, Lavetta; son Richard of Portland; daughter Jean Carey of Beaverton, and her husband Dan; granddaughter Ona Rilea of Battle Ground, WA; grandson Jason Gustafson of Vancouver, WA; grandsons Brandon and Blake Lumpkins of Beaverton.

A memorial service for Gus will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012, 2 pm at Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel: 4675 SW Watson, Beaverton, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kaiser Hospice Program: 2701 NW Vaughn Street, Suite 140, Portland, Oregon 97210-5344

Arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel.