KIPTON CHRIS GUSTIN
April 2, 1936 – January 28th, 2024

KIPTON CHRIS GUSTIN “Kip” and also known as “Gus” to some of his friends,
passed away on January 28th , at age of 87 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA after suffering a stroke. His passing was peaceful, and Kip went straight into the arms of Jesus.

Kip was born on April 2, 1936, in Olympia, Washington to Clifford and Irma O’Ross Gustin. He was the oldest of three siblings with younger brother Allen Ropo Gustin and sister Susan Anne Gustin.

Kip attended Edmonds Community College and Western Washington University with a double major in Psychology and Geology with a minor in Social Sciences Education.
Gus married the love of his life Geri Gould Gustin on October 13, 1961, at the Olympia Methodist Church in Olympia, Washington. They were blessed with two daughters, Kelly Sue Gustin and Jennifer Kelly. Kip and Geri enjoyed 61 years and three months of married life which was full of adventure. Over the years the family lived in many different places in Washington including Cedar Flats, Olympia, Seattle and in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and finally setting in Benton City, Washington at the “River House” in May of 1998 until September of 2023 when they moved to another location Hillview Mobile Home Park in Benton City.

Kip was never one to slow down, always somewhere to go and somewhere to be. It could be a family event, working in his yard, or just going to gym for a workout and sauna and sometimes a beer or two with his friends. He loved watching his sports on TV. He was most proud of his family Geri and daughters Kelly and Jennifer and many grandchildren.

There was much travel in Kip’s life, well over two million miles throughout the United States and including Israel where in 1998 he served with the Israeli Defense Force Sal El Program.
Kip had many jobs over the years in Washington primarily in Safety Management, including Center Pivot Irrigation, Safety Manager for Clallam County in Washington, Clallam Bay Corrections Center, Washington Beef, Idaho Beef, ConAgra/Lamb Weston and at State Prison Administration.

He served in the Navy as Naval Airman from June 1955 to June 1960 and then was honorably discharged. During that time, he had missions in North Alaska over enemy territory.

He is survived by his beloved family, wife, Geri Gould Gustin of Benton City, Washington, Daughters Kelly Small of Pasco, Washington, and Jennifer (Jeff) Kelly of Pasco. Washington, (5) Grandchildren, Daniel Kuch and wife Misty, Megan Kuch, and husband Daniel Mosqueda, Jessica Small, Olivia Kelly, Christopher Kelly and five great grandchildren, Sebastin Neal, Jennifer Mosqueda, Daniel Mosqueda, Kipton Kuch and Natalie Mosqueda as well as one great granddaughter Ivy Rae Kuch.

Kipton was preceded in death by his parents Clifford (in Jesus) and Irma O’Ross Gustin (in Jesus), Brother Allen Gustin and grandson Levi Small all blessed memory.
Memorial Celebration for Kipton will be held on February 23,2024 @ 11:00 AM at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, in Pasco, Washington