Eric Christianson

1954 - 2023

Eric Christianson

August 24, 1954 - June 2, 2023

Merced, California - Eric was born on August 24, 1954 in Merced, the third of 5 children, to Carl Trygve Christianson and Cecilia Goni Christianson. He was proud of his Norwegian and Basque heritage.

Memorial service is December 30, 2023 at 9:00 am., St. Patrick's Church, E. Yosemite Ave., Merced, Ca. 95340.

Eric was a proud OLMer, and still maintained friendships with his classmates from 2nd grade and on. He graduated from Merced High School where he played baseball. After high school, he drove school bus and worked for Foster Farms. Soon thereafter, he started his fire-fighting career working for Merced County Fire Department and eventually working for California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CDF), now known as CAL FIRE. He retired as a Fire Captain for Mount Bullion Conservation Camp in 2008 with 30 years of service.

After his parents' passing, Eric was the glue that held the family together, inviting all to come for summer barbecues and swimming. He would contact family every November to arrange our traditional Christmas get-together in his home. He loved having a house full of family and was generous to a fault. At those gatherings he enjoyed talking about golf, baseball, firefighting, classic cars, fine wine, good olives and childhood memories. He was famous for his leg of lamb and rack of lamb dinners.

Ruth was the love of Eric's life. He confided in her and he knew he could count on her always and for everything. His patience and spirituality grew as a result of Ruth's witness.

Eric was a fun and gregarious guy. He used to say that he really enjoyed bringing people together, and it showed. He was the life of every party, even the ones he invited himself to. He jokingly said, "If I waited for an invitation, I'd never go anywhere," which we know wasn't true. He liked to tell stories, he spoke his mind, and as his Mother would have said, "He didn't have any hair on his tongue." You never had to guess what he was thinking.

He was faithful to his many friends – they came from all walks of life, and he saw them frequently. He had a way of making his friends feel as though they were all his best friend and that they were each very special to him. Whenever he learned a friend was ill, he called or stopped by their house to check on them. He never missed a tee time, a lunch date, a hunting endeavor, a funeral or other special get-togethers. He loved his animals dearly. He enjoyed playing with the Oki Farms baseball team for 18 years, going out to the Pellissier Farm, and spending time with "The Buds." Spending quality time with his friends is what he enjoyed most in life, so much so, that he attended his own Celebration of Life. In April, "The Buds" and Pellissier Farms hosted over 300 friends and family. We truly celebrated all that he meant to each of us, and it was a huge blessing to all who attended.

Eric passed away peacefully in his home on June 2, 2023. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Nightengale, daughters Maenette Combs (Chris), Megan Rowe (Adam), Monica Montero; sons Brad Nightengale (Rachael), Dennis Nightengale (Monica) and Jeff Nightengale; his brothers Nels (Fla) and Alec and Sisters Carol Anton (Mike) and Ingrid Papahronis (Basil) as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In terms of what we'll miss most about him, his 7-year old granddaughter put it best: "How much he cares for us."