Eric Gerald Van Orman

Eric was born April 13, 1962 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the son of Melvin Gerald "Jerry" Van Orman 1938-2023 and Suzanne Bailey Van Orman 1939-Living, Eric honored his parents and their legacy throughout his life, including lovingly organizing and funding his father's funeral services.

Eric is the grandson to Melvin Welker "Mel" Van Orman 1910-1986 and Marcella H. Hills 1910-1985 as well as Edgar Francis "Ed" Bailey 1900-1979 and Marion Phillips Bailey 1905-1992.

Eric lived with his family for nine years in Wayzata, Hennepin, Minnesota, attending elementary school there. He loved participating in Boy Scouting, hockey, ice fishing and ice skating.

Upon moving back to Salt Lake City, Utah with his family, he graduated from Oakridge Elementary, Churchill Junior High School and Skyline High School with a passion for baseball, drama and theater.

Boy Scouts of America awarded Eric in 1977 the Eagle Scout Award in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He was active in his church scouting programs as Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master.

Eric served an honorable two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Sapporo Japan from 1980 to 1982. His service in Japan reflected his love for sharing the gospel and embracing other cultures.

His academic journey took him to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He participated in the six month Study Abroad Program in Israel as well as an additional three months teaching at the Jerusalem Center. He graduated from the University of Utah with Bachelor's Degrees.

His career included working six years with Youth Development Enterprises in Hawaii. He held trucking positions with C. R. England, Knight Transportation and most recently as a Truck Dispatcher for Logistics, Inc. or Sharp Transportation of Logan, Utah at their Salt Lake office.

Beyond his work, Eric found joy in nature, creativity and community. He earned awards as an accomplished photographer with publications in the State of Utah as well as his church youth magazines. He loved fishing, crafting handmade fishing flies, rock hunting, woodworking. ceramics, gardening of flowers and vegetables where he shared the fruits of his labor with family and friends. His culinary talents included out door cooking, ethnic and home grown dishes that brought people together and showed his creativity.

A dedicated runner in his younger years, Eric participated in SK, 7K, I0K, and half-marathon races in Utah and Hawaii, keeping picture records and memorabilia from each event as a testament to his perseverance and passion.

Throughout his life, Eric exemplified loving service and compassion. His family and friends will remember his selflessness, creativity, and unyieiding commitment to his loved ones.

He made a personal commitment and dedicated the last eighteen months of his life to the home

and health care of his widowed Mother in her later years as a testament of his deep and loving service and devotion.