Calvin Charles Erickson

Cal was born December 12, 1923 to Charles Erickson and Tillie Kenstrom Erickson in Selma, California, the youngest of eleven children. His upbringing in a big Swedish farming family taught him the character traits of hard work, gratitude, generosity and integrity. His family adored their mischievous, happy, curly-haired brother; and Cal learned at an early age that life was great! He never lost his optimism, good nature, and joy at the simple things in life. He was always a “kid at heart” and beloved by all who knew him.

While he was young, Cal’s brother would throw him seeds for hours on end so he could practice hitting them with a stick. When he played softball with a real ball, it looked so huge that he was able to hit anything that was pitched to him! He started playing for the rural town team at an early age, and he continued playing softball into adulthood. Cal also enjoyed bowling and golfing for many years, and he was an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan. His children remember his enthusiasm for the team, the wonder of going to games with him, and listening to Dodger games on an old brown radio during dinner.

Growing up, Cal also learned to sing around the family piano, and music became a defining interest for him his whole life. He won his wife’s heart with his beautiful voice, sang at weddings and funerals, and sang to his family in the mornings, at bath time and on road trips. After retirement, he took great pride in performing with a barbershop quartet and the local men’s chorus.

Cal graduated first in his class from Sanger High School in California in 1941. He was required to register for the draft when he turned 18, five days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Cal desperately wanted to be in the Army Air Corps rather than the regular Army. He took rigorous physical and written qualifying tests and was accepted into the Air Corps and eventually into the pilot training program. He received his silver wings after extensive flight training in several locations over the next two years. Cal chose the B-26 Marauder as the plane he wanted to pilot, and in January, 1945, he and his crew received their oversees orders. He was stationed in France and, after the conflict, in Germany. He flew 12 missions, and was discharged in 1947 as a 1st Lieutenant. Cal always said that he was proud to have served in the armed forces.

Upon returning from Europe, Cal was introduced by a family friend to a pretty, young college coed named Jean Castle. She became the love of his life for 74 years. Together they started a family and weathered the storms and accomplishments of life with grace and good humor. They bought their first home in the San Fernando Valley, where Cal was employed by a moving company. He worked very hard, occasionally holding down two jobs, but always with a cheerful attitude. Cal was, above all, a dedicated family man. He started each day with a song, and always greeted his wife and children with delight when he came home from work. He took time to coach Little League, help with homework, play street football, go on camping trips and support his children’s activities and achievements with pride.

When the children were grown, Cal and Jean relocated to a home in the Santa Clarita Valley, and Cal began a successful career in real estate. He enjoyed working with his clients, and his happy disposition made him a natural salesman. At the same time, Jean began an outstanding career as an elementary school teacher, which she continued for 20 years.

After retirement, Cal and Jean settled into a contented routine. Cal always claimed to have disliked farming in his youth, and vowed never to return to it. However, he became “Farmer Cal” and enjoyed planting vegetables every summer, sharing his harvest with family and friends. His tomatoes and zucchini were legendary! Cal was also good with numbers and was an excellent speller. He maintained a lifetime interest in crossword puzzles, and was always ready for a lively card game. Besides these activities, and his involvement with his singing groups and with sports, Cal and Jean were able to enjoy some travel adventures, including a trip to Europe, where he revisited the air base in France where he had been stationed. They also traveled to the Panama Canal, Alaska and Hawaii.

Cal’s greatest joy was his family, and his love grew in later years to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always remembered birthdays and special occasions with cards and gifts, and he delighted in family visits and gatherings. He tenderly cared for Jean in his final years, even as his own health was failing. Cal and Jean were devoted to each other, and their marriage was a model of unconditional love.

Preceding Cal in death were his parents; four brothers and five sisters; his son, Keith Erickson; granddaughter, Brandy Ostler, and grandson, Matthew Macy. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Jean Erickson; sons Michael (and Judy) Halgren, John (and Marchand) Erickson, David (and Robin) Erickson; a daughter, Caleen (and Ed) Cox; his older brother, Grant Erickson; seven grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cal lived a full and happy life, and was beloved by everyone who knew him. The presence of this positive, kind, fun-loving husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle and friend was a blessing for 98 years. Everyone will miss his laugh, his hugs and his generous, warm personality. Cal’s legacy will live on in the love he shared with his family and friends, and they can take comfort in knowing that he is now singing with the angels in the heavenly choir.