Michael Raymon Gusty

June 17, 1994 – June 28, 2026

Michael Raymon Gusty, 32, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on June 28th, 2026. Born on June 17th, 1994 in Chandler, Arizona. We remember Michael for being such a large personality that the impact he left anywhere was meteoric. He was driven by loyalty and held two core objectives for those who earned it: ensuring they were safe and that they were laughing. He always did anything 100%, with stubborn, unbreakable will. If he challenged you, it meant he saw something greater in you than he believed you saw in yourself, and he wanted you to see whatever that was. Or that you just had the wrong political bumper sticker on a hybrid car.

Even as a child, he possessed a strict judge of character that usually manifested to outsiders as, “Don’t mess with them. They’re mine.” Those under his watch were supported upon a foundational pillar of loyalty rather than on how right or wrong he thought their position might be; but, man, did he let you know when he thought you were wrong. What some would have called brutal in his delivery, he would have called efficient or “just what it is,” and what those who knew him would’ve just called, “Michael.” While his love and emotions were intense, so was his instinct to protect. He was always the driver, the one in front, the first to meet whatever was coming head on, or just be there so you both knew you were safe. Especially if your name was “Mom.” His voice carried throughout any room in a way you felt, so his presence was always physical, like a security blanket of sarcastic, inappropriate jokes at the most uncomfortable time.

Jokes and personal jabs were his social currency; if you weren’t prepared for the darkness of his humor, he would feel guilty for smudging your innocence, but it wouldn’t stop him from laughing at that too. He processed the world in comedy, enjoying not only the act of making people laugh, but just seeing others share and enjoy it together. If you could make fun of him, then you would quickly learn he could make fun of anything. His love language was always laughing.

Michael was also a man of such intentionality, that you couldn’t help but respect how deeply he believed in whatever, or whoever, that was. He walked through life as if he were paving the ground behind him and frustrated as to why everyone else didn’t already know that and just get behind him. Marble shifted more than his opinion once he decided on anything, unless he didn’t believe he deserved it, for better or worse. Especially if that meant him knowing a way you could make things better, which usually translated to, “I should be in charge,” or, “I’ll just do it,” but always because, “They’ll just fuck it up, and they deserve it done right.”

While he put on a solid exterior and focused on doing what he thought best for those around him, he struggled to accept praise or genuine reward, sentiment, or anything beyond appreciation of the physical effort it took to leave an impact. He had no problem taking credit or being paid for being right, but if he received a gift, he would cuss you out in tears and disbelief that he deserved the affection. Yet, there are few, if any, who deserve more love than he does. In the end, love is exactly what he put his life on the line for, and we will all spend the rest of ours trying to live up to his example.

Services will be held Friday 7/10 at 4:20 PM, with viewing available at 2:30 PM, at Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery, located at 7900 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207.