Rodger Earl Erickson

The man, whose smile and sparkling blue eyes delighted everyone, saw Jesus, his Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ ( Those were his words in every prayer he said.) and went with Him to heaven April 17, 2026. Rodger was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota at Navy Hospital on September 7, 1938, to Leslie Earl Erickson and Ida Louella (Grasdalen) Erickson. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage. At age 6, his family moved to Minneapolis where he lived until his family relocated to Colorado Springs in 1952.

Rodger attended South Junior High School and Colorado Springs High School, graduating in 1957. After school his first job was helping a classmate install AT&T cables. He married Penny Pinette in October 1960. Four children were born to this union. They moved to California where he was employed for 16 years as a heavy equipment operator for Operating Engineers. He worked in Cheyenne, Wyoming 20 years as a Greyhound bus driver. Following retirement, he transported cars across the country for Halliday Motors.

At his 50th class reunion, he reconnected with his classmate, Marjorie Swearingen. Romance followed. They married a year later at a fairy tale wedding at Palmer High School on August 16, 2008.

He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, CSHS/Palmer Alumni Association, El Paso County Pioneers Association, and Fjellheim Lodge: Sons of Norway. He enjoyed birdwatching, fishing, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and The Wyoming Cowboys. He faithfully attended Heritage Pentecostal Church at Sunny Vista.

Rodger was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Virginia (Nordeen) Nelson, Doris (Chuck) Lake, Mildred (Bob) Wildie, brothers Sherwood (Jean), Leslie (Judy) Erickson, Brother-in law Byron Reid and ex-wives Penny Pinette and Julie Hunter.

He is survived by his children Gregory (April) Erickson, Tana (Charlie) Johnson, Jo’D (Rob) Bower and Rodger E. Erickson, Jr., grandchildren Leif and Rane Erickson, Tyler and Trey Bower and Robert Torres and great grandson Andrew Erickson, twelve nieces and seven nephews , his beloved wife Marjorie Swearingen -Erickson, step children Scott (Marianne Giarratano )Kent and Lisa Swearingen, step grandchildren Cole (Samantha), Emma and Ian (Bobbi) Swearingen, and great granddaughter Shilow Swearingen.

Rodger leaves a host of special friends including the staff and residents at Sunny Vista Living Center where he was loved and cared for the past four years and cherished neighbors Matthew and Samuel Cole and their mother Alysa Webb.

Memorial Service to be announced.

Memorials: St. Paul’s UMC 2111 Carlton Ave. CSC 80909, Sunny Vista Living Center 2445 E. Cache La Poudre St. CSC 80909