Elvin Eugene Gueston
October 18, 1963 - October 3, 2019

The sun rose on Elivin Eugene Gueston, Sr., October 18, 1963 in San Diego, California. He was the first of two children birthed to Ermel and Leroy Gueston. Elivin was affectionately known to his family as Big Elivin. In the community, he was everything from: EG, to Wolf, and of course, Coach.

Elivin received his formal education at Balboa Elementary School, Pershing Junior High School and Abraham Lincoln High School. He went on to attend San Diego City College where he played football. That is where he met the love of his life, Sylvia Iverson. Elivin continued his education and playing football, attending San Francisco State University. As college sweethearts, Elivin and Sylvia were married on August 27, 1987. Their union was blessed with two children.

As a professional, Elivins commitment to service and community was evident. He worked in the warehouse for the San Diego Unified School District, removed asbestos for Controlled Environmental Services, worked in the personal care industry as a Logistics Analyst with SafeSkin Corporation before starting his own landscaping and handyman business, Gueston Quality Landscaping.

Elivin modeled true grit and hard work in everything that he did. No matter the endeavor, you could expect Elivin to put others before himself, and doing so while always giving his best. This was best measured in his more than twenty years of unwavering support for his community. Whether he was coaching and umpiring with his baseball comrades at Encanto, or when he was channeling his allegiance to that Good Ol Green and White at both 45 and MLK Park as a longtime volunteer, coach, and mentor Coach Elivins authenticity and intensity could be felt.

A protector at his core, with an intrinsic desire to help others, Elivin was a man of many talents. Within twenty-four hours, he would have combed, parted, and braided his daughters hair with precision; put in a full day of work; and coached an entire community of kids. He loved to eat; And if he loved what he was eating, he would thank you with beads of sweat on his brow. He also loved to cook. If a grill was on he was on the grill; AND since the Hornets dont play on Sundays you know Elivin was definitely rooting for the RAAIIDERS!

Elivin rededicated his life to the Lord, becoming an active and lifelong member at Logan Temple AME Zion Church. Elivin served as a trustee, an usher, a steward and would even drive the church van. Even in discomfort, Elivin continued to serve his Savior, and his community until God asked his servant to lay down his shield and sword. He whispered to Elivin that his fight was no longer his burden to bear, and on the starry dark morning of October 3rd, 2019, Elivin shed his armor, to be with the Lord.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Gueston. Big Elivin leaves to cherish his memory and exuberance in life, his mother, Ermel Gueston, of San Diego, CA; his son, Little Elivin Gueston, II (Beth) of Vallejo, CA; daughter, LaToye Smith (Godfrey) of Sacramento, CA; and daughter, Brittany Taylor of San Diego, CA; sister, Pattina Gueston of San Diego, CA, six grandchildren, Baby Elivin, III and Kamryn Gueston of Vallejo, CA; Gizelle, Dior, and Godfrey Smith, III of Sacramento, CA, as well as Aaliyah Ross of San Diego; Elivin also leaves nieces Ania and Pariss Boyd of San Diego, CA; including a host of aunts, cousins as well as other relatives and friends.

Elivins legacy of protection and spirit of community will continue to both be a model of excellence and a legend to tell. He will be truly missed, but never forgotten. His memory will forever remain in our hearts.

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