James "Jim" Russell Gustin, Sr., 83, passed away in Lubbock, Texas on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Jim will be in state for viewing on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Horizon Funeral Home. A service will be held Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dalhart Church of Christ with Dean Whaley officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Horizon Funeral Home. Jim Gustin was born Saturday, January 1, 1938 to Emmaline Lucille (Dulaney) and Vernon Russell Gustin in Dalhart, Texas. He was enlisted in the Army National Guard his sophomore and junior years of high school. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy (1955-1958) and served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in foreign sea service for 2 years, 8 months and 15 days, he then continued in the Navy Reserve from 1958-1963. His time serving in the military was one of his proudest achievements. Jim went on the Veterans Honor Flight in October of 2017 and considered it a great honor. Jim met Karen Calhoun when he was 10 years old and from that moment on she was the love of his life. They were married on February 28, 1959 in Lubbock, Texas and had been married 55 years when Karen passed in 2014. They lived in Lubbock and Dallas before returning home to the Rehm Community in the Dalhart area to settle down and raise their family. Jim went to work for Hartley County and retired in 1993. They were members of the Dalhart Church of Christ. In 2013 he relocated to Brownfield to be closer to family. If you knew Jim you knew he was a talker and ornery, he loved to make people laugh and bring some joy to their day. Jim is survived by his son James Russell Gustin, Jr and wife Cindy of Brownfield, TX; his daughter Denise Carol Bray and husband Ken of Lubbock, TX; three grandchildren: Steven Russell Gustin and wife Jennifer of Eastland, TX, David Keith Gustin and wife Mandi of Amarillo, TX and Haley Brooke Bray and husband Isaac Gerard of Lubbock, TX; six great grandchildren: Luke, Jenna, Kalli, Hagin, Katy and Delaney; one sister Norma Jean (Toots) Rose of Levelland, TX. He is preceded in death by his wife Janice Karen (Calhoun) Gustin, his parents and a brother, Jerry Doyle Gustin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas South Plains Honor Flight. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James 'Jim' Russell Gustin, Sr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Viewing Wednesday, December 08, 2021 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Horizon Funeral Home 701 Elm Ave. Dalhart, Texas 79022 Church Service Thursday, December 09, 2021 10:30 AM Church of Christ 1420 Denver Ave Dalhart, Texas 79022