Erik Whitlark Ballou, the eldest son of Merge Whitlark Ballou and Paul Ballou, and the older brother of Mary Catherine Ballou and William Ballou, was brutally carjacked on March 9, 2018, in Columbia, South Carolina. With God's help and the incredible skill and perseverance of the Palmetto Richland Trauma Team, CCU, Richland County EMS and the Richland County Sheriff's Department, Erik survived for two days before succumbing to his mortal injuries. This small window of time gave a short opportunity for his family and friends to gather and say goodbye to perhaps the most kind-hearted, loving and gentle soul to walk this earth. Erik was a man who never said an unkind word or raised his voice in anger or malice against his fellow brothers and sisters. He was born April 25, 1989 in Columbia, S.C. Educated at Bethel pre-school, St. Joseph Elementary and Cardinal Newman High School, Erik was a great student, athlete and classmate who was well loved by everyone. He completed three years at the College of Charleston before returning to Columbia to work for a number of years in his Uncle Forrest's and Uncle Paul's restaurant businesses on Rosewood Drive. Erik is survived by his parents and brother and sister, as well as his grandmother Gery Ballou; aunts and uncles Rip Ballou, Ruthie Ballou, John and Tam Ballou, Steve and Louise Ballou, Ted Ballou, Trace Ballou, Tom and Heather Ballou, Pete Ballou, Nancy Currey, Dan and Joanne Ballou, and Jim and Kim Ballou. On the Whitlark side of the family, he is survived by aunts and uncles Henry and Barbara Whitlark, Catherine and Mark Nold, Faith Maraldo, Forrest and Taryn Whitlark, Mark Whitlark, Debbie Biggers, Joe and Linda Whitlark, Liz Whitlark, Kevin and Lisa Whitlark, David Medina, and a host of cousins and friends too numerous to list who all loved him dearly. Erik joins his grandparents Gordon and Christine Whitlark, Bill Ballou, Aunt Steenie Medina, Uncle Eddie Maraldo, and his Uncle Paul Whitlark, who Erik adored. The Funeral Mass for Erik will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Devine Street in Columbia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harvest Hope Food Bank or St. Joseph Catholic Church.
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