Kenneth Gustafson

Ken Gustafson was famously known as The Picture Man. For over 50 years, he took pictures of students, teachers, principals, sport teams, weddings, reunions, and family events. Likely he took your picture, positioning you just right, making you laugh with silly jokes, causing you to smile, creating lasting memories. Ken’s legacy lives on in these photos preserved in homes across Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana. Kenneth Theodore Gustafson was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1924 to Gust and Helen Gustafson. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he joined the Navy. He served in the South Pacific on the SS Tangier, where he worked as a gunner, baker, and courier. After the war, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the National Guard. Ken loved America and instilled patriotism in us. He proudly displayed the American flag. Ken met Rosa Lee at his ship’s party at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. It was love at first sight. Soon they married and were devoted for 46 years of marriage. Following Lee’s death in 1991, Ken became a hospice volunteer for 10 years, visiting and comforting the dying and their families. Once he was honored as Hospice Volunteer of the Year and featured on the news. Ken loved playing softball and golf, boating, salmon fishing, and watching sports. Dad gave us a legacy of faith. In 1953 at 1st Presbyterian Church, Dad turned to Christ and never returned to his old ways. Both Ken and Lee were active in the church, serving faithfully as Sunday School teachers and counselors at Camp Ghormley. Their strongest ties were to the Chapel Bible Class taught by Carroll Hull. All our best friends were connected to the church. Treasured memories are Christmas and Easter services, church potlucks, and summer home meetings. Dad had a strong baritone voice. We can still hear him singing hymns, worship songs, and the doxology. In the 70s they helped to establish Shiloh Christian Center where they discipled and mentored many young Christians. Ken and Lee were instrumental in founding Yakima Foursquare with Pastor Tom Baker. Our parents gave us a beautiful childhood growing up in the country, surrounded by apple trees. Over the years, Dad remodeled the house, doing much of the work himself. You see, everything he ever did was for the family – all the hard work, protection, sacrifices, the giving and forgiving. He always looked forward to our birthday and holiday family gatherings. Dad and Mom prayed their children into the Kingdom and because of their prayers, all of us are following Jesus. As a life-long believer in Christ, Dad entered Heaven on June 9th surrounded by loving family. Ken is survived by daughters Tamara Lee and Charis Weber, son Mark Gustafson (wife Jean),  grandchildren Melissa Clark (husband Scott), Erika Weber, Kurt Weber, Stacey Helliker (husband Kevin), great-grand children Wesley Bryant and Mackenzie Helliker. Ken was preceded in death by his wife Rosa Lee, son-in-law Ron Weber, grandson-in-law Jeff Bryant, sister Genevieve, brothers Chet and Hank, and parents Gust and Helen Gustafson. Monetary Gifts can be made to LoveINC. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth Gustafson, please visit our flower store.