Obituary of Kenneth G. "Ken" Gustafson

Kenneth G. "Ken" Gustafson, age 69, of Jackson, CA, died at home of a heart attack on Saturday, May 16, 2015. A celebration of life service will be held at the Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 22, 2015. Ken was born April 13, 1946, in San Bernardino, CA, to L.D. and Ethel Gustafson. He grew up in San Bernardino and was passionate about sports and the outdoors-eventually becoming an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Pacific High School in 1964, where he met the love of his life, Nelda J. Long. He was a championship wrestler during his high school and college years and always enjoyed athletic and strength challenges. Ken and Nelda were married in Arrowhead, CA, September 14, 1968 and made their home in Southern California until moving to Jackson fulltime in 1984. Ken was an accomplished welder and inventor and owned his own businesses for the past 41 years. He was awarded six patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for industrial and trailer security locks. He co-founded GusHill Industries in 1999 to manufacture and market his products. Ken was happiest in the great outdoors and enjoyed the forests and rural areas of Amador County. At home he stayed busy improving his locks, designing new models, and caring for the kiwi farm started by his father-in-law Herb Long who passed away in 1997. Ken was a Christian and actively attended the Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene for the better part of 30 years. He enjoyed involving friends in his projects and he was never too busy to help his friends. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Nelda Gustafson; son Dr. Bryon Gustafson and his wife Dr. Sara McClellan of Sacramento; mother-in-law Junia Long of Jackson; brother-in-law Stanley Long and his wife Roxanne of Pine Grove; brothers Jim and Art Gustafson; sister Sharon Pritchard, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.