Daryl LeRoy Gustafson

Daryl was raised in Kingsburg, California, the son of LeRoy and Verna Gustafson. Following graduation from Kingsburg High School and one year at Fresno State University, Daryl transferred to UCLA, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1957. While at UCLA, he met Doris Popovich, who would remain the focus of his love and devotion for the next 60 years. Daryl and Doris were married in Torrance, California on March 5, 1960.

Daryl’s professional life was marked by the same sense of loyalty and dedication that defined his personal life. He spent his entire career with General Telephone of California, rising steadily and finding his calling as a leader of GTC’s Office of Government Relations. In that role, he shuttled regularly between Los Angeles and Sacramento, and developed strong relationships with local and state public officials. Daryl and Doris settled in Pacific Palisades in 1965, where both were involved in the community for the next 50 years. Among other civic activities, Daryl was a member of the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club and the Palisades Methodist Church. In his early adult years, he also served in the United States Army Reserves.

While balancing his various responsibilities, Daryl always found the time for his primary passions: his family (first) and UCLA sports. For Daryl, nothing took priority over attending a school event to support his sons, or helping Doris launch her professional career. His sons’ friends wore a path to the Gustafson home, where Daryl and Doris always had time to share a laugh. The home was a gathering spot for those friends during UCLA football and basketball games, and Daryl’s fervent exhortations to the Bruins were an anticipated part of the action. The genuine and hearty greeting with which Daryl began every encounter will be missed deeply by all who knew him.

Daryl is survived by his wife Doris, his sons and daughters-in-law Mark and Liz Gustafson of Durham, North Carolina, and Randy and Susan Gustafson of Mar Vista; his grandchildren Devin, Drew, Lauren and Kendall; his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Gerald Erickson of Kingsburg; and many cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Friday, December 18th at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.

Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy of Santa Monica is assisting the family.