Erik LaDoe

1936 - 2012

Erik F. LaDoe

St. George, Utah

Erik F. LaDoe (Landau) was born in Warsaw, Poland on August 31, 1936. He passed away in St. George, Utah on June 23, 2012, following complications from Meningitis. Erik was the only child of Joseph F. & Erika F. Landau. He immigrated with his parents and maternal grandmother to the United States in 1948 as part of the "displaced persons program" following the end of World War II.

The family immediately traveled from New York to Oregon, settling in Beaverton. Erik attended Beaverton Grade School, Beaverton Junior High and eventually moved to Portland, graduating from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1954. While at Benson, the family name was changed to LaDoe, he was elected student body president, was the President of the debate team and helped operate KBPS, the school radio station.

Erik attended Oregon State College and was eventually accepted into the second class of the United States Air Force Academy, then located in Denver, Colorado. He was one of only three individuals selected from the state of Oregon to attend the Air Force Academy. Following his time at the Academy, he returned to Portland and finished his college degree at Portland State College in Business Administration, in addition to working at U.S. Bank.

Erik married Bonita Scott in 1957 and in 1960, his first son Jeffrey (Jeff) was born. He continued to work at U.S. Bank and became active in the Oregon National Guard Reserve, eventually becoming a 1st Lieutenant. Following a divorce, Erik married Carolyn (Carol) Lane in 1962. In 1964, son Gregory (Greg) was born, followed by Michael (Mike) in 1967.

In 1972, following employment in numerous outside sales jobs selling heating and air conditioning equipment in the Portland and Albany areas, Erik accepted a position and became co-owner of the Mason Emanuel Company in Seattle. The family relocated from Albany to Edmonds, Washington. A couple of personal highlights while living in Edmonds were obtaining his private pilots license and purchasing the family cabin/property at Lake Roesiger, near Monroe, WA.

Retiring in 1985, Erik and Carol relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1987 where they lived until 2004. Their time in Lake Havasu was highlighted by making many close friends, golfing, serving as tour guides for numerous visitors and spending a couple of summers touring the United States with their travel trailer. They moved to St. George, Utah in September of 2004. Erik gave up the game of golf and fell in love with the game of pickleball, becoming an active member of the Sunriver pickleball community. He also enjoyed woodworking, being a handyman for friends and playing Texas hold 'em.

Erik was always grateful for the opportunities the United States provided him. He was a dedicated, dependable, hard-working son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was most proud of his 50 year marriage to Carol, his three sons Jeff, Greg and Mike and his four grandchildren. He also cherished all of the wonderful friendships he and Carol made over the years.

He is survived by wife Carol, sons Jeff (Diane), Greg (Diana), Mike (Lynn), grandchildren Rebecca, Zachary, Lucy and Abigail, as well as first wife Bonita. The LaDoe family wishes to thank everyone for their support, love and prayers during his short illness. At his request, no services were held