Douglas J. Ericksen
January 28, 1969 - December 17, 2021
Ferndale, Washington - Douglas J. Ericksen passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021, at the age of 52, following a battle with Covid-19. He was born in Bellingham, WA on January 28, 1969 to Rev. Leonard C. and Bettelou (Macdonald) Ericksen.
Doug attended Lowell Elementary and Fairhaven Middle School before graduating with honors from Sehome High School in 1987. During his years as a Mariner, Doug was an outstanding three sport athlete, earning all-state honors in baseball and football. He was also a talented member of the Post 7 American Legion baseball club. Throughout his youth, Doug attended Central Lutheran Church, where his father was the pastor. His favorite family memories included playing sports with his brothers, summer RV adventures, and a special trip with his parents to the Holy Land.
Following high school, Doug attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Doug had fond memories of his time at the Big Red, where he played collegiate football and baseball and was a member of Sigma Chi. Doug earned a bachelor's degree in Government with a concentration in International Relations from Cornell in 1991.
Doug and Tasha started dating during college after working together at Bellingham Parks and Recreation. Following graduation, they taught English abroad in Southeast Asia and worked in Alaska, igniting a lifelong passion for travel and adventure. They were married in 1998 after a long and adventure filled courtship. Doug and Tasha chose to make their home in Whatcom County, their favorite corner of the planet. Tasha began teaching and coaching in the Bellingham School District as Doug embarked on his career of public service.
After returning to Washington State, Doug earned a master's degree in Political Science and Environmental Policy from Western Washington University. He began his legislative career while still in college, working in the office of Senator Ann Anderson, whose seat he later held. He also worked for the Department of Fish and Wildlife in Olympia. Both experiences sparked his interest in policy making and inspired him to run for office.
Doug won his first election to the State House of Representatives for Whatcom County's 42nd Legislative District in 1998 in a closely contested race. His election put the State House into a 49-49 tie for the next three years. He held the position for six terms and was elected to the Senate in 2010. He was proud to serve as the Chair of the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee from 2013-2017. Doug also had the opportunity to serve in national politics during his career as well as work in the international arena in Southeast Asia, Central and South America. He made friends around the world and loved engaging with people from all walks of life. Doug was a champion for the rights of the individual and the rights guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions. He deeply loved this beautiful place he called home and was instrumental in completing numerous projects that benefit the people of Whatcom County.
Doug had a passion for his faith, family and friends, travel, and outdoor adventures, including backpacking, bike camping, golfing, and kayaking. He reveled in taking the road less traveled and finding a great bargain at the thrift shops. Doug was so proud of his daughters and loved supporting them in their athletic and academic endeavors. A man of many talents, Doug built the family home and a barn to support his kids' participation in agriculture. He loved spending time on the tractor mowing the pastures on the farm and then relaxing in the hot tub. Every summer, he could be found at parades around the county, waving the American flag and displaying his love for his country. His spontaneity and zest for life, along with his masterful skills on the barbecue grill, will be greatly missed.
Doug is survived by his wife Tasha, his daughters Elsa and Addi, his mother Bettelou Ericksen, brothers David (Nancy) Ericksen and Donald (Sara) Ericksen, and many loving friends and members of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his father Rev. Leonard C. Ericksen.
Doug will be remembered as a fiercely devoted husband and father, a beloved son and brother, an adventurous spirit who fearlessly tackled challenging situations, and a dedicated advocate for the constituents he served and the causes he held in his heart.
A funeral service will be held at Christ the King Community Church, 4173 Meridian St., Bellingham on Wednesday, December 29 at 12 noon PST.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Doug's honor directly to the bank, mailed to PO Box 74 Ferndale, WA 98248, or via Venmo.
To support community & scholarship needs in Whatcom County:
Doug Ericksen Community Legacy Fund (Whatcom Educational Credit Union – checks to Tasha Ericksen with Doug Ericksen Legacy Fund in the memo)
Venmo: @Ericksenlegacy
To support family expenses and college tuition
Doug Ericksen Family Benefit Account (People's Bank – checks to Doug Ericksen Family Benefit Account) Venmo: @Ericksen-Family
Condolences may be sent to the Ericksen family at PO Box 74, Ferndale, WA 98248.
Please share your memories and photos of Doug at https://www.westfordfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Douglas-Ericksen/.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald from Dec. 21 to Dec. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Ericksen

6 Entries

Kathy Kershner

December 24, 2021

My deepest sympathies to Doug´s family. Doug was a true patriot, a hero, and a friend to many. Hugs to Elsa, Addi and Tasha, we will never forget your Dad and Husband. Much love.

Roman Daniels-Brown

Sent Flowers

Karen Keiser

December 22, 2021

Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss. Doug and I had different political positions when we were on the Senate floor together, but he was a colleague who fought hard and fair for his beliefs, and I appreciated his commitment. I am so sad for his family and they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Michael Baumgartner

December 22, 2021

Doug was an outstanding Senator and an even better person. He was a brilliant intellect: during my eight years serving with him in the Legislature, there was no Senator more talented at crafting legislation. While Doug was proudly a strong conservative, he passed or successfully amended numerous pieces of legislation in a pragmatic and bi-partisan fashion. Few legislators in the history of Washington state have made as big an impact. During our many hours together on the Senate floor, we formed a strong bond of friendship which I cherish. I will also always warmly remember the outstanding trade mission Doug organized to Cambodia, where we were joined by our good friend former WSU football coach Mike Leach. It was a great time and we learned a lot. Coach Leach often referred to Doug as "one of the most interesting men in the world" and looked forward to traveling with him again in the future. Doug was extremely talented in international settings, with a natural sense of diplomacy and decorum more typical of the seasoned senior diplomats I used to serve with in the State Department. As such, I was not surprised when the Cambodian government asked Doug to help represent them in America nor when Doug told me that he had become friends with the Vice President of El Salvador. Had he not become a Senator, Doug would have made an outstanding Ambassador.
I will greatly miss Doug, but will always celebrate all the great memories I had with him. My heart goes out to his family. Doug spoke often about Tasha and his girls, and was so excited for them as pursed their university studies. I still remember him telling me what a great family trip they had hiking in Glacier National Park. I´m so great full to have known you Doug. Rest In Peace, my friend.

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Hans Zeiger

December 22, 2021

Senator Doug Ericksen was one of the most talented spokesmen for conservative public policy in the history of Washington State. He was an intelligent and passionate debater, a champion for the people of the 42nd District and Whatcom County, and a man of faith.

I remember watching then-Rep. Ericksen on TVW before my own election to the legislature. He always spoke eloquently and pointedly, doing all he could to ensure the House minority was heard loud and clear in floor debate and through the amendment process.

My first conversation with Doug was at the Roanoke Conference in Ocean Shores in January of 2010, early in my first campaign for the State House. His advice to me was to be confident, to take an assertive approach as I campaigned. "You must be willing to lead," he told me. "People are looking for a leader."

When I got to the State House, Doug had moved to the Senate, where he eventually took on the chairmanship (later the ranking membership) of the committee on energy and the environment.

I remember a time when Senator Ericksen spoke at a weekly bipartisan, bicameral fellowship gathering in the Senate Rules Room and described his walk with Jesus. He spoke authentically and with the deep conviction of grace.

Later on, I got to know Doug as a colleague in the State Senate. For a time, I sat next to him in caucus, and we often exchanged side comments on bills under consideration. I admired his ability to speak on virtually any issue, his consistent defense of principled policy, and his resiliency in the face of criticism.

To Tasha, Elsa, and Addi: thank you for sharing Doug Ericksen with Washington State. May God bless you and keep you.

Lynn Carpenter

December 21, 2021

I´m so sad for the family, the people of Whatcom County and the state. Doug was a great man and will be missed by so many.

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