James F. Gustafson, 87, of Cambridge, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at Hammond-Henry Hospital Skilled Care, Geneseo, with his family at his side.

Funeral services were held Feb. 2, at the Cambridge Lutheran Church. The Rev. Dawn Keenan officiated. Burial was in Rosedale Cemetery, Cambridge. Visitation was held Feb. 1 at the Cambridge Chapel of Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services.

Memorials may be made to the Cambridge Ambulance Service or the Cambridge Athletic Boosters Cub.

He was born Sept. 25, 1921, in Orion, the son of Frank S. and Marion E. (Sherrard) Gustafson.
He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1939, and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, majoring in math and music. He married Marjorie Olson Feb. 26, 1944, in Cambridge,
and he was lovingly welcomed into the folds of her large family. She died Oct. 8, 2004. 

He was a lifelong farmer in Osco Township and was fortunate to be able to embrace his passion for farming as a way of life. 

His life was filled with a diverse range of interests. Music was a love that he shared with his wife and passed to his children. He played the piano and organ, often participating in family sing-a-longs throughout the years. He especially liked big band music. 

A real sports enthusiast, he was active on many teams in high school. He went on to play football at Augustana, was captain of the track team, and continued to be active in the “Tribe of Vikings” at Augustana. Later in life he became an avid golfer. 

He was fortunate to have all his grandchildren grow up nearby and loved watching them participate in sports, 4-H and music programs. Once the grandchildren were grown, he continued to support area young people, seldom missing a community or sporting event. 

He was one of the first people inducted into the Cambridge Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears and the Cambridge Vikings. 

He was the first Eagle Scout in Cambridge and remained active in scouting as an adult. He served many years on the Cambridge Troop Committee and the Illowa Council, BSA, Board of Directors, receiving the Silver Beaver Award and the Lamb Award for outstanding volunteer service to the Boy Scouts. 

He was a member of the Cambridge Lutheran Church, where he had held several positions on the Church Council. He served on the local school board from 1948 to 1956, during which time the country schools were consolidated into unit districts and the current Cambridge High School building and the football bowl were built. He later served as a Regional School Board trustee. 

His other memberships included the Henry County Livestock Feeders and the Henry County Farm Bureau. Among his other collections, he maintained a 75-year collection of stamps. 

He enjoyed raising his herd of Polled Hereford cattle. He would say that Sunday mornings on the farm with the quiet cows and Christian music on the radio were among his best times. He had a real love for his community history and was very proud of his vast collection of Cambridge memorabilia. 

Most people that knew him would say that he could recall most anything you asked him, calling upon his remarkable storehouse of knowledge about area people and events.

Survivors include a daughter and spouse, Cheryl and Bryce Chamberlain of rural Geneseo; a son and spouse, David and Jill Gustafson of rural Cambridge; five grandchildren and spouses, Ben Chamberlain of Huxley, Iowa, Jon and Kimberly Chamberlain of rural Geneseo, Kimberly and Bruce Radke of Glen Ellyn, Kurt and Christi Gustafson of Altoona, Iowa, and Brent and Heather Gustafson of Chicago; and great-grandchildren, Brock, Sophia and Audrey Radke, Grace, Abby and Alex Gustafson and Trent and Tyler Chamberlain. 

He was so looking forward to welcoming his fifth great-grandson from Brent and Heather into this world. Instead there will be an extra angel in heaven watching over this baby. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and an infant brother and sister.