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Oscar Harold Gustafson, age 85, of Keyser, died Friday, January 21, 2011, at his home.

Born December 24, 1925, at Pocahontas County, he was a son of the late Carl John and Lillian Mae Sutton Gustafson.

Following military service in the United States Navy during World War II, he attended Potomac State College for two years and received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Agriculture Education at West Virginia University in 1950 and 1953. He taught Vo-Ag one year at Buckhannon High School and five years at Keyser High School prior to accepting a position at Potomac State College in 1956. He rose to Full Professor, Chairman of the Agriculture Department, the Chairperson of the Division of Applied Sciences, Career Programs and Technologies and later retired as Emeritus Professor in 1988.

His selfless commitment, dedication and loyalty to Potomac State College, West Virginia University and the State of West Virginia?? and sincere love for teaching young people and fostering their hopes and dreams ?? were always a driving force behind the man all knew as ?Mr. Gus.?

Mr. Gus earned many honors during his carer including FFA Honorary State Farmer in 1979, as well as FFA chapter awards from both Mineral and Hampshire counties. In 1996 he was awarded the Potomac State College Distinguished Service Award for exceptional lifetime dedication and contributions. Just within the last month, he received the coveted Lions Club International President Certificate of Achievement award, and was honored by the Mineral County Commission with the 'Oscar H. Gustafson Day' on December 16, 2010. He was a long-standing member of Grace United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher for Senior Men for nearly 25 years, as a Trustee and Administrative Board Member and active member of Methodist Men and Harry Reese Adult Class. He was active in the Keyser Lions Club serving as President and was helpful in many community service projects. He was also very active in the Mineral County Farm Bureau and served as a Chair of the Keyser Recreation Board.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings, Carl Rosburg, Orpha Monk and Virginia Phillips.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jacqueline Simmons Gustafson; four children, Robert and wife Kelly, of Morgantown, John, and wife, Linda, of Keyser, Jacqueline Sions, and husband Haven, of Morgantown, and Michael and Scott Quint, of Boston; eight grandchildren, Ashley Lynn Seabury, Jaclyn Megan Sions, Haven Benjamin Sions, Lindsey Michelle Atkinson, John Phillip Gustafson, II, Michael Drew Sions, Jeffrey Andrew Gustafson and Juliana Layne Gustafson; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral service was January 24 at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. James A. McCune officiating. Interment with military honors was in Potomac Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be sent to: Oscar J. Gustafson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Potomac State College of WVU, Keyser, WV 26726.

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