Clyde Jonas Erickson

Clyde Jonas ""Sparky"" Erickson, of Longmont, died June 24, 2010 at his residence. He was 77.Sparky was born on March 3, 1933 in Nokay Lake Township near South Long Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota to Herbert Milton Erickson and Ann Dolores Mittag. He was raised on the family farm, which was important in many ways, especially in living life's adventures with his brothers. It was hear that he learned the skills of hunting and fishing, passions he would enjoy the rest of his life. At age 11, Sparky's father died. Subsequently, the family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota to start life anew. When Sparky turned eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the Destroyer Escort USS DeLong during the Korean War. Following his tour of duty, he would return to Minnesota. On July 23, 1955, he married Maurine Hendricks in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this July.Looking for adventure, Sparky took a job as a forest ranger with the state of Minnesota. That year he enjoyed the wilderness, spotting and fighting forest fires. At the time IBM was opening their second plant Rochester, Minnesota. At an uncle's urging and recommendation, he applied and was hired into the corporation in 1957. He was transferred to Boulder, Colorado to open their new plant here in 1965. For 33 years he enjoyed and took pride as a project manager. He retired in 1990.Sparky had many joys and interests; his family, hunting, fishing, gardening, golfing, bowling and travel.Preceding him in death were his parents and a daughter Cindy Erickson. Surviving are his wife of Longmont; three sons Eric Erickson and his friend Tina Knezha, of Longmont, Marco Erickson of Amarillo, Texas and Milton Erickson of Arvada; his brothers Herbert M. (Jerine) Erickson, Jr. and Tyrone D. (Sharon) Erickson all of Rochester, Minnesota; and two granddaughters Ashlee Jeanne Erickson of Pennsville, New Jersey and Alesha Maurine Erickson of Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.A cremation has been entrusted to the Howe Mortuary.A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 2, at the LifeBridge Christian Church, 10345 Ute Highway, Longmont, CO 80504, with Rick Rusaw officiating. Contributions may be made to the LifeBridge Christian Church, 10345 Ute Highway, Longmont, CO 80504 or EverCare Hospice, 6455 S. Yosemite St., Englewood, CO 80111 in c/o Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St., Longmont, Colorado.