John R. Erickson Sr.

Commander John R. Erickson, Sr, U.S.C.G, Retired, age 90, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Beloved husband of 64 years to June Winthrop Erickson. Father of John R. Erickson, Jr., (Mary Ann), Jean Erickson Cefalu, (late Charles) and Mark R. Erickson, (Kim). Son of the late Raymond S. Erickson and Eleanor Richards Erickson. Brother of Raymond S. Erickson and Sonja E. Pritchard. Also survived by his grandchildren; Sarah C. Herrington, Charles A. Cefalu, Jr., John N. Cefalu, Michael J. Cefalu, Gregory J. Cefalu, Jane K. Erickson, William F. Erickson, John M. Erickson, Kirsten A. Erickson and Luke C. Erickson, great-grandchildren; Liam E. Cefalu, Parker B. Herrington, Connor L. Herrington, Charlie A. Cefalu, III, Emma J. Herrington, Lena C. Cefalu, Mary J. Cefalu, Lucy H. Cefalu, Carson M. Cefalu, and James A. Cefalu. A native of Key West Florida, John graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1957 and faithfully served his country for over 20 years, serving in Vietnam, at a LORAN station in the South Pacific, aboard the USCG Cutter Cherokee out of Norfolk, Virginia, and aboard other Coast Guard vessels along the East Coast of the US. He was a liaison officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and finally moved his family to Slidell, Louisiana, in 1972 where he ran the NOAA Data Buoy Office at what is now known as the Stennis Space Center. After his retirement from the USCG, he worked the remainder of his career at ODECO in New Orleans, working in International Operations to support ODECO's fleet of offshore drilling rigs. Still an avid sailor, he spent many years working with the Sea Explorer Post in Slidell to teach sailing, navigation and seamanship to a new generation of sailors. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Services at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd. West (IN Forest Lawn Cemetery), Slidell, LA on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. Visitation on Saturday after 9:00 A.M. until funeral time. Interment, with Military Honors, will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Southeast LA Veterans Cemetery, Slidell, LA. Donations to the charity of your choice preferred, in lieu of flowers. Please visit www.honakerforestlawn.com to sign guestbook. Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.