David Arthur Gustafson

Dave loved God, people, evangelism, and oysters in that order. There was an oyster illustration or a joke in almost every sermon. People paid attention because he would issue a playful warning that if they fell asleep, he'd have to start the sermon over. Dave was the kind of person who would drop what he was doing to help someone in need or in trouble. He was a good listener. A best friend. He was always one of the first people to greet anyone new to the community and wasn’t afraid to knock on strangers’ doors and invite them to church. He loved to connect with people and make sure they felt welcome.

As a boy, he evangelized the neighborhood children by having them sit at a picnic table while he preached God's Word. His parents became saved because of their son's fire for the Lord after they sent him to Seaside Baptist Church. His teenage years were highlighted by driving his 1969 competition orange Camaro Eliminator and being on the wrestling team. He graduated from Seaside High School in 1978. October 21st, 1980, Dave married Linda Webb. The fall of 1983 saw David begin his first of 4 years at Multnomah School of the Bible, graduating in 1988. That same year, their first child, Shiloah, was born, followed by a son, Joshua, in 1993. Also in 1988, David began his ministry with Village Missions at his first of 4 churches. The churches he served at were located in Bridge, OR; Skamania, WA; Woodland, WA; and Sauvie Island, OR. He would be so blessed to know you took the time to go to www.villagemissions.org and learn more about what his life was about.

Between his 3rd and 4th churches, he took a 13-year hiatus where he worked at Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach, OR, as a bellman. God brought many people his way that he shared the love of Jesus with. This gave him much joy. As did his two grandchildren, Quorra, age 10, and Jeptha, age 5.

Dave was a loving father who went above and beyond to build lasting, quality relationships with his children. Many memories were made through the years with camping, car ride adventures, movies, late-night grocery shopping, black Friday shopping, evangelizing, playing pool, bowling, and bonfires. His children felt his love every day with his various forms of communication, whether it be a phone call, video chat, text, or in person chatter, he was always present and invested in their lives.

Born in Seaside, Oregon October 14th, 1959, to Arthur and Barbara Gustafson, he passed away from a heart attack Sept. 17th, 2025.

He is survived by his wife Linda; daughter Shiloah and her husband Nathan Hopkins and their two children Quorra and Jeptha; A son Joshua Gustafson; David's sister Pam Johnson; a niece Elizabeth and her husband Lavaudus Scott and a nephew Cory Johnson; and a niece Renee Case.

Preceding him in death were both his parents, Arthur and Barbara Gustafson; an older stepbrother, Robert Gillette; an older stepsister, Georgia Gae Sheehan, and two nephews: Brandon Gillette and Michael Spivey.

Dave’s lasting memory will be that whenever he found himself anywhere, whether it be in a hotel, school, gas station, hospital, dialysis center, shopping for groceries at Fred Meyer, or simply out in the world where he encountered people, his first question would be, "Are you a person of Faith?" Now it's been asked of you. Are you?