Ray "Gus" E. "Gus" Gustafson

I had just graduated from Good Thunder High, was the starting pitcher. I was a rookie for the GT town team and I was excited to play Garden City and face “Ol Gus”. I knew I had a better fastball. My first at looked out at him, he hadn’t shaved for five days and was looking mean. I was hoping he would throw me a fastball. He did, right under my chin. I got up, stood in the box , tried to stare him down. I struck out. I thought SOB, I’m going to be a Legend someday too!

Jerry went with the Lord on April 18, 2019. I would like to think that Ray and Jerry are playing together in the "Heavenly Softball Game." Jerry so enjoyed playing ball with Ray!

I graduated from GT in 1961 and played on my first year town team game that summer, I pitched my first game against Garden City and the legend "Old Gus" . I lost and the legend lived on. I was 18 and Gus was probably only 30. (Old)) He was great and and intimated us young guys. I'm sure he is on the all-star team up above. Hope I can have a rematch when I get there.
Hart Austin

So sorry to hear of Ray's passing. jerry played baseball with Ray on Sundays and he stopped in often to Ray's Station. Jerry also has good memories of deer hunting with Ray. Jerry was with Ray when he shot the big buck that was in the gas station.
Our sincere sympathy. Jerry and Delores Anderson, Hot Springs Village, AR

Sue,just learned of Gus's passing. My sympathy to the family. I counted Gus as another brother as he and Bill were so close. He pitched and Bill caught. I didn't know growing up that you did anything else on Sunday afternoons then watch baseball. A kind good man that will be missed.

i have fond memories of the gas station in Garden City where Ray was always so helpful. It wasn't just "filling up", it was also about getting ice cream cones and catching up with community.

As young children , our dad, Lyle La Favor, would take us to the summer baseball games in Garden City . I remember watching Ray pitch. What an amazing talent! It was always a safe bet that the Garden City team would win with Ray's pitching. He left many batters standing at home plate! What a...

I don't know how many of you in my GT Obits Email group might have known Gus, but our family lived in Garden City, for a couple of years before we moved back to Good Thunder, where Mom and Dad [ Vince & Marge Mongeau ] lived when Joan and Marcy were born. After we moved to GT, we occasionally took a Sunday Drive around the county, while Dad was keeping an eye on how the crops were doing, and we three kids took turns sitting in his lap, on the back roads, each taking a turn at the wheel and...

Sue,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Please rest in the assurance that you will one day be reunited with him in our Fathers house.

My sincere sympathy to Sue Don and Gus's family. We all miss the Standard station.