HARRINGTON - Brett S. Gustafson passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 23, 2013, he was 28 years old. Words cannot summarize a person as amazing as Brett. He was the light of his wife's life as well as everyone he encountered. If there ever was a farmer, it was Brett. He loved to farm; it was a part of his soul. He worked MANY full times jobs at once; he was an independent poultry grower for Perdue, had a small beef cow operation that started with just one heifer and a dream, he also grew small grain, his own hay and worked full time for Blessing Farms until his diagnosis. After all of that, he still found time to be his wife's prince charming in wrangler jeans and a John Deere cap, the hero to his two boys, and the best son; brother; grandson; family member; a family could ever dream to have. He was ALWAYS willing to help someone, anyone, who needed a helping hand, even if that meant not getting home till the wee hours or working around the clock. Brett valued and cherished three very important things in his life, his family, friends, farming, and being in the outdoors. He always put his family first, to Brett working long hours and providing a life that his wife and boys would be proud to be a part of, was just an expectation. He never settled for ok, he strived to be the best he could be and his goal in life was to pass down a farming operation like what he grew up in but just missed continuing. Farming and family always came hand in hand. It was a life style Brett was raised in and wanted so dearly to pass on to his children. When Brett wasn't in a field or on a tractor, or working with his friends, Brett was outdoors. He was an avid hunter and gamesman. He loved to hunt anything he could, but aside from the challenge it offered, it was the comradery it brought that meant the most. This amazing person was diagnosed with Melanoma Skin cancer in June 2013. He had no signs and no symptoms. After going to the doctor, he found out it was stage 4 melanoma. After many MRI's and Pet scans he learned that is was in his brain, spine and several other places in his body. Because of Brett's diagnosis, his sister, Christy and other family members, visited the dermatologist. She was soon diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma. Brett's diagnosis could have very well saved her life. Brett fought as hard as he could, treatment after treatment, radiation after radiation for 6 months. He never took a break or rested. The melanoma in his brain finally claimed Brett's life at 28, only 6 months following his diagnosis leaving in its path a family that will never be healed. Words will never be able to express how much Brett meant to those who loved him, but he would always express to us "it is what it is", and that is the way Brett led his life. His only worry was for more research to stop melanoma to save his sister and possibly his children from this awful disease. Brett is survived by his loving wife, Samantha Gustafson; two beautiful children, Ty Gustafson (age 4) and Luke Gustafson (age 2); and loyal Boston Terrier Rascal; he is also survived by his amazing family, father and stepmom, Steve and Tina Gustafson and Chayton of Harrington; as well as his mother and stepfather, Nanette and Fred Zimmerman of Dover; his wonderful sister and brother-in-law, Christy and Ben Brown of Denton, Md.; Brett's supportive grandparents, Paul and Thelma "Sugar pie" Gustafson of Harrington and Sharon and Ray Melvin of Felton; and predeceased grandfather, Richard Delong; he was also survived by his paternal great-grandparents, Robert and Elizabeth Collins of Harrington; and many wonderful great aunts, uncles and family members. Brett's services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2013 at Melvin's Funeral Home in Harrington. The viewing will be held on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Please feel free to wear casual attire, Brett would approve. In lieu of flowers, Brett asked that donations be made in his name to melanoma research at the University of Pennsylvania. Checks can be made payable to "Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania" and in memo line you can include melanoma program and Brett's name. The checks can be mailed to Penn Medicine Development-Abramson Cancer Center Melanoma Program, 3535 Market St. Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA. 19104 or go online to www.pennmedicine.org/giving and select Abramson cancer center, and gifts can be made to the melanoma program in Brett's honor. Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington, DE. www.melvinfuneralhome.com