Eric was a hardworking man that provided for his family while being able to love what he did. He was a ranch hand at Smith Cattle Co., and was not afraid to get dirty or use some elbow grease to get his job done. He loved taking care of the animals, working on the land, and with his hands. Before working on the ranch, he worked for Holt Helicopters relocating deer to different areas of the property.
Eric was a devoted family man. He always loved playing with his kids or horsing around with any and every one. Eric made others smile. He was a big kid at heart, with a kind soul that loved to goof off. He reminded us all not to take everything so seriously and to just have fun. Eric was always the first one to help anyone in need. He had a very active role in the Region 8 Jr. & High School Rodeo Association, and was always helped out, working the rodeos in his spare time. He was well-liked by the students and parents alike. He was also a member of several groups for gun collectors. He was always looking to buy, sell, or make a trade to add to his extensive collection. He was also very big into rodeos himself, which he excelled at. He mostly participated in team roping as the header, but had recently won a buckle for being the heeler in the JK Productions event Roping for the Buckles. Eric was a devout man of faith, and was a member of the Cowboy Fellowship congregation.
Eric is survived by his wife of six years, Justine, and their three children, Liza Jane, Wyatt Mason, and Audrey Leanne. He is also survived by his mother, Leanne Fretwell, father and step-mother, Thomas & Annette Fretwell, his grandfather, Charles Fretwell Sr., his two sisters, Jessica Russell and Shelby Fretwell, his three nephews, Spencer, Oliver, & Sawyer, Uncles and Aunts, Chuck, and Kristine Fretwell, John Russell, Marvin & Sue Russell, Jeffrey & Judy Russell, cousins, Cash and Kadi Fretwell, as well as so many others he called family.
Eric is preceded in death by his grandmother, Audrey Fretwell, grandfather, Lindel Russell, his grandmother & her husband, Audrey & Garnett Pike.
Eric's parents would also like to thank Kristine and Chuck Fretwell, for the love, dedication, time, and support they gave to help mold him into the amazing man we all loved so dearly. They would also like to thank them for introducing him to the rodeo lifestyle which was his true passion in life.
Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35 Pflugerville, Texas from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, March 1, 2018 starting at 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home with the Committal Service immediately following at Cook-Walden/Memorial Hill Cemetery.
For those who are unable to attend on Wednesday or Thursday, the family has invited you all to join them for a Memorial Service on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Pleasanton at 5:00 p.m. If you have any further questions in regards to the Memorial Service, the family has asked that you please contact them.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his wife and three young children. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated, and you can make donations at gf.me/u/g2vvcr
