John Max Erazim

John Erazim, 64, from Raleigh, NC passed away May 15th, 2010 at a friend’s home in Horseshoe Bay, Texas after a valiant battle with cancer. John was born in Kearney, Nebraska on June 2nd, 1945. His father, killed in action in WWII, never knew the son we all cherish. John was raised by his mother Velma and stepfather Clyde Gidley and grew up on a small farm near Ravenna, Nebraska along with his younger brother Steve Gidley.

On August 24, 1968 he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Fread at Our Lady of Lourdes in Ravenna, Nebraska. They made their first home in Kearney, Nebraska and began their too short a journey of a charmed and sophisticated life.

After graduating from Ravenna High School, John started his college career as a Cornhusker at the University of Nebraska and later moved to Kearney State College earning a degree in business. He may have changed schools but never his love for the Huskers.

Upon graduation from KSC, John joined Rockwell International in Kearney, Nebraska as a Management Trainee launching his business career centered on manufacturing and production management. After he trained everyone in Kearney, his career took him and Mary to places all over the country and around the world. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Utah, Canada, Ohio and in 1982 Raleigh, NC, which has been their anchor home ever since. John continued career moves to New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and in 1998 John’s position with Tyco International landed him a stint overseas in Dusseldorf, Germany. He spent the next couple of years acquiring competing valve manufacturers for Tyco and turned them into the leading valve manufacturer in Europe.

After the move back to Raleigh, John found his next adventure in West Texas. A lifelong lover of Louis L'Amour and other western novels, John found himself living in the kind of country he'd read about all his life. As Chief Operating Officer of Fiberod, he was instrumental in merging two small manufacturers of sucker rods and along with his dear friend and partner Russ Rutledge built it into a $100 million dollar business in just over 5 years. Equally as important to John, were the friends he made in Big Spring, Texas. John embraced Texas and Texas warmly embraced him back.

Besides his work John loved life and he lived it with gusto. He was always the “scout” when traveling, finding the right street, the best café and especially the perfect pub for a respite from walking.

An avid golfer, John greatly enjoyed the game no matter the course. Pitched battles with Ken in Houston, among the windmills of Big Spring’s Country Club, Thanksgivings on the Oregon Coast or Nebraska golf with Ella, Dustin and Kalan, John loved every minute. Great uncle that he was, John took so much pleasure in playing golf with his nephews and reveled in their quality play.

Catching bass in the stock tanks on the lease in Texas was only second to fishing with his nieces, Abigail and Julia in the pond behind their house in Raleigh. He had some great fish stories but better yet are the memories he left with them.

Like everything else, he worked at building traditions and making memories. The best were his traditional trips to Build-A-Bear with Parker, Riley, Julia and Abigail. They built lots of bears and many moments to remember Uncle John.

Card games were a great recreation for John. The game of Pitch has probably never seen someone with so little in their hand win so many big bids. Some claim that he was incredibly lucky, (Mary). But that just can’t explain the week-long trip on the California Coast where he and his partner were undefeated!! John always said, “It’s not overbidding when you make the bid!”

John is survived by his wife Mary, his brother Steve Gidley and wife Trina, Bolingbrook, Illinois, Russell and Ella Fread, Kearney, Nebraska father-in-law and mother-in-law. He is also survived by Ken and Laura Fread, Houston Texas, Rex and Kathryn Lindaman, Portland, Oregon, Bobby and Cindy Collins, Raleigh, NC, Monty and Sue Fread, Kearney, Nebraska, Todd and Lori Gould, Raleigh, NC and 20 nieces and nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews plus a host of friends from near and far.

John was the center of our family universe. Not necessarily by choice, he was not elected, he just was. John served as de facto guidance counselor, psychologist, financial planner, keeper of the peace, minister of weddings and more. All the while being the best husband, brother, uncle and most importantly, friend, one could ask for.

There are not words to adequately convey the depth of our love, nor the pain of our loss.

John, please know that we will love and remember you forever...... like the ember remembers the flame.

The family will be receiving guests at their home Friday, May 21 between 6pm and 8pm.

Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh NC. Graveside Service to follow at Historic Oakwood Cemetery. Condolences to the family can be sent to www.MitchellatRMP.com. Donations in John’s Memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.

A Memorial Service will also be held at the Big Spring Country Club, in Big Spring Texas, on Thursday May 27, 2010 at 6:00 pm.

Arrangements under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC.