Eric Scott Eldridge

Eric Eldridge passed away peacefully, on December 24, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, where he went to be with the Lord.
Eric arrived on March 18th, 1966, 3 weeks late (which was a pattern he continued throughout his life), born to Ray Scott and Jo-Anne Eldridge in Oregon City, Oregon. His family moved to Yakima when he was 2 years old. He grew up playing in the orchards off of Summitview, riding bikes, and digging holes to play in with the neighborhood kids.
He attended Robertson Elementary, Franklin Jr. High (where his basketball team was undefeated in 9th grade), and Eisenhower High. He was a natural athlete and excelled in all sports. He played hockey from the age of 6 throughout his life. His family spent many weekends driving hockey kids from town to town for tournaments. Eric really did not fit into any mold; he was smart, made the honor roll, worked hard, and played hard. He could cook, bake, can, and make sauerkraut, yet he never missed a party, never met a cold beer he didn't like, and made friends wherever he went. He could go into a dive bar or a fancy restaurant, and he always came out with a friend. He took great care in nurturing his friendships, many of whom he kept from elementary school through life.
He attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, graduated with a degree in Criminology, and opened a landscaping business called Elephant Landscaping with his childhood friend, Todd Lovins. They built a large clientele, and he also worked part-time in Whatcom County Juvenile Detention, where he made many lifetime friends. Eric met the love of his life, Christina, in the Yakima Sea Galley in 1987. She turned down his offer for a date several times, telling him he was too young, until he finally persisted. When Christina's mom asked if she was serious about him, Christina stated he had to meet three criteria: be kind to animals, kind to waitstaff, and treat his mother well. He passed with flying colors, and after five years of dating, they married on September 26, 1992, in Yakima, Washington. They bought their first home in Bellingham, an old Victorian, where they lived until they got tired of the rain.
In 2000, they relocated to Yakima to be closer to Eric's parents, and he was lucky enough to spend many good years with his mom close by. It was here that he changed careers and became a pharmaceutical sales representative. This was truly his calling and passion. He spent 21 years with AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Company and made lifelong friends with his co-workers and many of the physicians he called on over the years. He excelled in this position and would have kept working, but he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in November of 2020. Eric was diagnosed on Election Day of 2020 and wanted to live to vote in another election, which he was able to do.
He and Christina decided to retire in 2021, and travel and spend time at their cabin on Chinook Pass, which was the only place Eric actually relaxed. He loved chopping wood, growing his tomatoes, and sitting by the outside fire. He loved his dogs to no end and loved to take his labs out in the field to look for birds. He enjoyed traveling to Mexico and wine country with Christina and their friends. He loved to watch the Krakens and Seahawks; loved to have a cold beer with his many friends; and loved a good glass of wine.
Eric truly had a heart of gold that was sometimes disguised by a gruff exterior. He would do anything for his family and his friends and rarely said no to any invitation to have fun. He was loved by everyone he met. Many thanks to his compassionate providers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle and Harborview Hospital, where he passed.
Eric is survived by his loving wife, Christina; his sister, Cindi (David) Ariss; his aunt, Violet Meyer; and numerous nieces and nephews, who lovingly referred to him as Uncle Ick. He is also survived by a legion of friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wags to Riches, PO Box 3177, Union Gap, WA 98903; Seattle Beagle Rescue, PO Box 6266, Kent, WA 98064; or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, in memory of Eric Eldridge. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am at Shaw and Sons on January 24, 2026, with a reception following from noon to 3:00 pm at the Yakima Country Club on 500 Country Club Drive, Yakima, WA.
Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at shawandsons.com.