Phillip Lee Gustafson, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Sacramento, California on December 17, 2018 from congestive heart failure.  

   Phill is survived by his loving family, Mary Lou, his devoted wife of 58 years, daughters, Susan Clair Gustafson (husband Frank Artress), and Robin Lynn Gustafson (husband Roberto Delgadillo), and sister-in-laws Prudence Hay and Marilyn Getty.

   Phill was born in Inglewood, California on November 20, 1932.  He graduated from Inglewood High School in 1950.  After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from UCLA, Phillip spent two years as a second lieutenant in the Air Force stationed at Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, CA.  

   After the Air Force, Phill began his passion for teaching at Westwood High School.  It was there that he became a demonstration teacher instructing other teachers on how to teach English. In 1965 Phill was offered a job as reading specialist for Manteca Unified School District. In 1967 Phill won the Young Man of the Year Award, honored by the Manteca Jaycees for his work to establish a tutorial program at the California Youth Authority in Stockton to tutor inmates in reading. Phill retired as an administrator after over 30 years with the Manteca Unified School District.  Throughout his career, he was a mentor to many, and a strong advocate for public education. 

   Phill’s faith was an integral part of his entire life. Most recently, he was a member of Northside Church in Sacramento, where he served on the leadership team until his death. His kindness, generosity, and love touched many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation for African Education and Medicine (FAME), at https://fameafrica.org/

Sacramento

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Friday, January 18, 2019