On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Donald (Don) Jesse Gustin went home to be with Jesus at the age of 66, while at a skilled Nursing Facility while in Hospice Care. Don was born on March 29, 1957, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born to Oscar T. & Ruth L. (Simmons) Gustin. He was the third of three children.
Don moved to Flagler, Colorado in 1970, where he attended the Flagler Public School and graduated in 1975 then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Learning carpentry from his dad, Oscar, he built homes for Capp Homes for a few years.
In 1978, he moved back to Arriba, Colorado. Don was engaged and married his love, Debra Lou Moore on June 17, 1978, and then moved to Flagler, Colorado. Unto this Union three children were born: Jason Lee Gustin, Andrew Thomas Gustin and Shalena Dawn Gustin. Their precious Jason Lee passed May 29, 1996, at the age of 16 after a long illness with cancer. While in Flagler, Don worked briefly for Kit Carson County. In 1979, Don was hired by Dave & Iva Morris. They sent him to many schools across the country. Don was employed by Morris’s at Tip Top Service, later named Flagler Power & Equipment, as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic for 13 years. In 1991, Don hired on with CDOT, moving the family to Castle Rock, Colorado. In 1993, he transferred back to Flagler, where he remained working for CDOT, out of the Seibert Patrol. In 2008, Don Promoted to Heavy Equipment Mechanic III with CDOT, he & Debra moved to Frisco, Colorado, where he worked for the Frisco Patrol. In 2011, Don was promoted and transferred with CDOT to Littleton, Colorado where he worked out of the Sante Fe Patrol. He remained employed, until an injury in 2018 caused a decline in his health, forcing him into early retirement in 2020.
Don was known as “Mr. Fixit,” as he could fix anything! He loved hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle, woodworking and above all, being with his wife, children, grandchildren, dogs, family & friends.
Don is preceded in death by his son, Jason Lee Gustin. His parents, Oscar & Ruth. His in laws, Paul & Norma Jean Moore, and many other family members and friends. He is survived by his wife, Debra Lou (Moore) Gustin, his son, Andrew Thomas Gustin, his daughter, Shalena Dawn (Gustin) Fox & husband Kyle, his granddaughters, Bryleigh, Brooklyn, Meghan & Madison. His sister Leta & husband Jess Elrick, his brother, Tom & wife Joan Gustin, brother-in-law, Ted Moore, and sister-in-law, Rhonda (Moore) Laue, and many many Nieces, Nephews, Family and Friends.
A Memorial Service with Burial will be held in Flagler, Colorado in July or August.
In Lieu of Flowers, the Family suggests donations to:
Memorial Contributions
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Foundation
CPW Donations
Attn: Financial Services
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
American Diabetes Association
P.O.Box 7023
Merrifield, Virginia 22116
Flagler Community Ambulance
427 Ruffner Avenue
Flagler, Colorado 80815