Herbert Lawrence Erickson

Herbert Lawrence Erickson passed away on the morning of July 7, 2022, 13 days shy of his 83rd birthday. Herb was born on July 20, 1939, in Malta, Montana to William and Thelma Erickson. Herb’s family moved to Bainbridge Island, WA in May of 1942, when Herb was 2 years old. The family then moved to Oakville, WA in the spring of 1954, when Herb was 14 years old. During high school, Herb raised Suffolk sheep and had around 100 in his flock. He showed his sheep at the fair and won numerous ribbons for the quality of his sheep.

Herb met his future wife, Dorothy Jacob, in 1965 at a church convention in Olympia, WA. After asking friends how the other was doing, they began writing to each other in 1967 and got married December 31, 1968. (Always frugal, marrying on the last day of the year saved on taxes.) Herb and Dorothy moved to Denver during their honeymoon, as Herb was finishing a correspondence course that had to be completed in Denver.

Herb was hired by a bank in Denver and soon their oldest was on the way. Todd, Herb and Dorothy’s first son, was born on January 4, 1970. Eighteen months later, Russell was born on July 14th, 1971, and 14 months after Russell, Clinton was born on September 28, 1972. Their youngest, and only daughter, Susan, was born February 7, 1975, meaning Herb and Dot had 4 kids, 5 years and younger.

During his life, Herb worked at a bank, was a railroad dispatcher, owned his own janitorial business, worked at a medical supply company and finished up at Coors Ceramics in Golden, CO. He believed in a strong work ethic, and he passed that on to each of his kids.

Outside of his family, one of Herb’s greatest joys was the time he spent at his family’s annual First Cousin’s Reunion on Bainbridge Island, WA. Out of 52 first cousins, 47 of them were from the Erickson side of Herb’s family. Many of Herb’s cousins grew up together on Bainbridge Island. There were several trips to the family reunion as Herb & Dot were raising their kids, and they were able to go every year in their retirement years, except for the year travel was shut down because of Covid. Singing songs, sharing stories, cooking out and the huge family potluck provided treasured memories. In his last days, Herb often wondered if they were on their way to the family reunion.

Herb found strength in the Lord throughout his whole life. He spent 4 years in the ministry, and never lost the spirit of a servant. He and mom were consistent in taking us to many gospel meetings and fellowship meetings, keeping us in a place that we could each nurture our own relationship with God. It was common to see dad on his knees at his bedside reading his bible and praying.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents, William and Thelma Erickson, and his sister, Carol Smith. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Dorothy, sons Todd (Tamara) Erickson of Shelbyville, IL, Russell Erickson of Clarkston, GA, Clinton (Jolene) Erickson of Commerce City, CO and daughter, Susan (Alan) Bryner of Loveland, CO. He had 12 grandchildren, Laura Erickson, Abigail Erickson, Charlotte Erickson, Emily Erickson, Heidi Erickson, Lincoln Erickson, Garrett Erickson, Sergio Acevado-Erickson, Andrew (Chantel) Erickson, Nickoli Erickson, Taylor (Kaila) Bryner and Carter Bryner. Herb also had one great grandson, Auryes Erickson. Herb is survived by his sister, Lillian Nelson of Alliance, NE and brother, Bill (Glenda) Erickson of Ellensburg, WA.

Finally, Mom would like to thank the many friends and family who have reached out and offered support during this time. She is grateful for the staff at Home Instead and the staff at Crossroads Memory Care. Both companies gave superb care to dad in his last couple of months. Todd, Russ, Clint & Suzi have been a source of strength and great comfort. Lastly, she would like to thank Herb. He was always agreeable and never made his care a burden. He was deeply loved.