Carl "Gus" Gustafson

William Gustafson and Olga Serafia Strid (Gustafson). Carl was the youngest of 5

children.

He attended school in Madera and Fresno and he graduated from Fresno Technical

High School in 1948. While attending high school, he was training to become an auto

mechanic.

Carl worked at a service station for a year and then he joined the Air Force. He was in

the first unit to go from the U.S. Army Air Corp to the U.S. Air Force. The uniforms were

changed from khaki to blue. He trained as an aircraft mechanic and electrician and

while he was in basic train9ing, he received his draft notice. He was sent to Korea in

1952 with the 51st fighter interceptor group and the 39th fighter interceptor squadron.

He worked on all aircraft, but the Mustang was his favorite. He was awarded the bronze

star from the United States, a Korean service medal from the Korean government, and a

United Nations service medal. He was honorably discharged as Airman First Class on

September of 1953.

He married Corinne Ann Little on May, 4, 1957 in Fresno, CA. They had 2 children;

Brett Thomas Gustafson and Melissa Ann Gustafson (Bennett). While raising their

family, Carl worked as an auto mechanic. Carl and Corinne were delighted when

they became grandparents. They had 4 grandchildren; Cara Amber Bennett,

Christopher Michael Bennett, Cortney Lee Gustafson, and Kyle Thomas Gustafson,

great grandson Brendon Anthony Gustafson.

Carl has always been interested in aircraft and he became a member of the Fresno

Radio Modelers Club. He built many different kinds of airplanes and flew them every

chance he could.

Visitation will be at Lisle Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Lisle Funeral Home, on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 11:15 am. Interment will follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.