Former Jail Superintendent Dies at 64

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: (360)427-9670 Ext 313 or (360)275-4467 Ext 313
Authority: Chief Deputy B.Dean Byrd

Shelton, WA - Tuesday, December 9, 2008

     Former Mason County Deputy and Jail Superintendent, Gaylen Luther Gulbranson, 64, died in his home Friday in Peoria, Arizona.  Mr. Gulbranson worked at the Mason County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy, Detective and Jail Superintendent between 1971 and 1995.  During the 1970’s Mr. Gulbranson was mostly assigned to work in the North Mason area and became the community’s “go to” person at the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. 
     I worked with Gail for many years.  I met him when I came to work for the Sheriff’s Office in 1973.  He had a way of getting the job done with quiet and gentle kindness.  The bad guys never wanted to challenge him.  He was highly regarded by his colleagues and the citizens he served.  Gail was a great presence in the community.  I also remember his photographic memory for license numbers and his ability to drive at high speed with smoothness and grace.
     Mr. Gulbranson later became the department’s driving instructor.  He served as a detective for many years and near the end of his career with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office was promoted to jail superintendent.  Mr. Gulbranson retired from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office in 1995 and later moved to the Phoenix area.  Mr. Gulbranson took a job with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Phoenix as a fingerprint technician/analyst where he worked until his death.
     Gail and his wife Pam loved living in Arizona where they both enjoyed classic cars and motorcycles.  The pair are members of the Desert Renegades, a classic Pontiac car club.  Gail and Pam own a 1967 GTO that Gail had owned in 1969 and 1970.  Gail found the car, purchased it back and restored it to its current pristine state.  Mr. Gulbranson also enjoyed his Harley Davidson Motorcycle which the couple rode frequently.
     Gail and Pam are members of the House of Destiny Church in Phoenix where Mr. Gulbranson served as a Deacon.
     Mr. Gulbranson is survived by his wife Pam; his daughter Melissa Ventura, Glendale, Arizona; his brother, Orville Gulbranson, Rochester, Washington; along with extended family members, Marilee Joyce, Covington, Washington; Tim Yeager, Phoenix, Arizona; Mark Yeager, Tumwater, Washington; and four grandchildren.
     Sheriff Casey Salisbury said “Gaylen Gulbranson will be remembered by his friends, colleagues and community as a person who stood tall and faced crime head on to make Mason County a safe place to live.