EVERETT L. ERICKSON

ERICKSON, EVERETT L.

Everett Leroy "Eric" Erickson, age 100, passed into eternal life on June 5, 2011 at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center. Everett was born in Saronville, Nebraska on September 9, 1910 to Gustav and Amanda Aspegren Erickson. His father immigrated to America from Sweden alone at the age of 13. Eric grew up in the Swedish Methodist denomination as the middle of five boys, and moved with his family as his father served as pastor to Swedish Methodist churches in Omaha, NE, Rockford, IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Jamestown, NY. Eric graduated from Union College in Barbourville, KY in 1934.

Eric's first job was teaching math at Lone Jack High School in Kentucky. He then sold dynamite for the Delaware Powder Company in Pineville, KY, where he met and married Ruth Neal Weller in 1951.

Eric spent most of his career as an independent insurance agent, starting in 1952 in Jamestown, NY, and then opening an agency with Ruth in Fort Pierce after a move to Florida in 1957. Eric served as a lay pastor for several small Methodist churches in New York and in St. Lucie County, Florida, and held leadership roles and sang in the choir at First Methodist Church, Ft. Pierce. After retiring, he and Ruth relocated to Gainesville in 1989 where Eric was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Fishermen Sunday School class. In 1997, Eric received the Kiwanis Legion of Honor Award for his 35 years of membership and service, and in 2000 he was named a Kiwanis International George Hixson Fellow. He enjoyed playing golf, singing tenor, and working out at Fit for Life.

Everett is survived by his wife, Ruth, and three children: Andrea Bloomer (Ray) of Bristol, TN; Neal Erickson (Kathy) of Orlando; and Lynn Monaco (Toby) of Gainesville. He is also survived by grandchildren Becki Akers, Robin York, Drew Erickson, Blair Erickson, Brandt Erickson, Eric Monaco, Amanda Monaco, and five great-grandchildren. They all affectionately call him "Papa E." He is predeceased by his parents and brothers Oliver, Francis, Herman and Kenneth.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, June 11th in the Trinity United Methodist Chapel, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Eric's honor to Trinity United Methodist Church, 4300 NW 53rd St., Gainesville, FL 32653 or to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.

Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street.

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WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA

(352) 376-7556