This was a shock, I will always remember how cheerful and optimistic Eric always was

Dear Middleton family,   I just heard of your tragic loss of Eric a few moments ago and my heart sank in saddness.  Eric was a dear friend and colleague that helped me establish a career as a City Manager in Southern California.  Eric was a leader and mentor to many.  I pray that the perpetual light of God shine brightly on his soul and that your saddness be consoled during this time of great loss.  Godspeed Eric.

...thank you for always believing in me as a player, and for standing up and doing what was right for our team. Your courage is something that I hope to take with me, and it has taught me much.

When we heard the news, we were deeply saddened. You touched our daughter's life and encouraged her in every way.We will never forget "Queen of the hIll". You were more than her coach, you were her friend and soon became our friend. You will always remain in our heart and we know you are an angel now. We will never forget you! Thank you for being such a wonderful person  and we know you will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to your family during this difficult time. God Bless you...Love, The Buda Family

Last night, I told Glenn the dorrman about what happened to you. At first, he didn't know who I was talking about and was unaffected by the news until I showed him a photo of you on my phone. Then his face grew really sad. He said you were extremely kind to him, always greeting him and offered to help him with his resume so that he could get a better job. Thank you for being such a good human being. We are happy to have known you.

Eric was an amazing man, great spirit and devoted friend.  He had a keen ability to call at just the right time, say the right thing and be a friend when was needed. I thank his wonderful family for sharing him with so many people and I'll try to honor his memory by finding the humor where it might not be and love/live life the way he did, with enthusiasm and purpose.  I miss you everyday my dear friend!

Eric - thank you for being such a great mentor and loyal friend.  Anytime I needed you, you were there.  I will never forget you and will always remember your wit, humor and insight.  Be well, my friend.

I still find myself asking, why?  It is really hard to understand why a wonderful man, full of life was taken from us so early. He will truly be missed. Eric and I clicked right away when he worked our first recruitment back in 2007 and I had the pleasure of working with him again just recently. If I knew the beer we shared in May was going to be the last, I would have had two. I just listened to a voice mail he left saying he would be back in the Portland area in August and we can grab a beer. Well, Eric, my friend, you will need to locate my dad in heaven. Two awesome fathers at Heaven’s Beer Garden.  My heart goes out to the Middleton family and wish you strength and peace in the days ahead. When I sent Eric a text wishing him a Happy Father’s day, he called to tell me that he appreciated my text because he was having such mixed emotions (both happy and sad) about his son going away to college. He was very proud of his family. May your loving memories carry you through the years.  Eric touched many lives and will always live in our hearts.

Eric, I will always remember you as a great coach, mentor, and person to all those you influenced on and off the soccer pitch. You left this world a better place with your actions. All I can say is that Heaven must have really needed a great soccer coach. My sincere condolences to your family. God Bless Everyone.   Rick Fruhling

We will miss Eric's love and passion for the game of soccer!  We will miss his enthusiasm A's well A's his commitment to the kids.  It was truly a pleasure knowing you Eric!

I knew Eric only briefly through a search he did here in El Segundo.  I felt compelled to write this even given that short time.  You know you can always tell when you are in the presence of good people and it was easy to see that very quickly in Eric. He was humorous, fun, energetic and a great professional.  I can only imagine how wonderful a person he was with his family and friends.  To all of you my sincere condolences.

Why do the good often leave us too early?  It's a loss for those of us left behind, but we have been blessed with the relationship we had with this wonderful man.  We remain enriched through the gifts he shared with us.        Eric cared and he tried to be of assistance to everyone that crossed his path.  He had a fine sense of humor and was a champion for others.      Going forward, we stand on his shoulders as we try to make a brighter future.  We're lucky to have had the opportunity to know Eric.

My dear friend Eric!  You will be missed more than you know.  I've known you for over 35 years.  We started working together at Universal Studios long ago.  I would be getting ready to leave and you would be just arriving.  You drove me crazy!!!  But the best crazy ever.  Your laugh was infectious!  30 years later you found me and brought me out of retirement.  I was honored and thrilled to work with you and all the wonderful people at Alliance.  You truly brought me back to life!  I am forever grateful!      My prayers are for you and your family.  A fabulous man taken from us far to soon!      You will truly be missed my friend, truly!!

Diane,      You are in my thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. While we have not kept in close touch since we each found other jobs, and you and Eric married, please know that I have thought of you fondly often. I am glad you reached out to me on Facebook, for it you had not, I would not have had a glimpse of your love for Eric. He must have been an amazing man and your marriage to him, all the more amazing. I am heartbroken for you and know you will do Eric proud at this tragic time in your life. I look forward to reconnecting with you when you feel ready.      Much Love,      Judy Luttrell

To The Middleton Family.  Our family  enjoyed being friends with Eric and the time we got to spend with him, particularly in Hawaii playing in the Aloha Classic.  I loved coaching with Eric and especially loved coaching against him.  He coached Melina for several years and he is one of the very big reasons she stayed with the sport.  Eric is quick with a laugh and always full of kind and loving words.  If you know Eric you know of his special affinity for referees   and his ongoing banter with them at every chance.  Diane, Hannah and Zach our hearts go out to you and our thoughts and prayers are with you.  Zach and Hannah, your dad was so proud of you and spoke of both of you every chance he got.  Eric is a special man and we will miss him.

I was so sorry to hear of this news. I have known Eric professionally through two searches in Hillsboro. He was terrific with us and very engaged. He had a gift of "hearding cats" as we often struggled to stay focused on our tasks. Very professional, kind and helpful. He is missed and our prayers are with his family and the Alliance family in this hard time.

Eric was a terrific guy. My significant other, Elissa Glickman, was a long-time friend of his. She regarded him with affection, respect, and always thought highly of his dedication as both a family man and dedication to his work. He went out of his way to help people, and his civic-mindedness stands out as exemplary. What happened to him at such a young age is horrendous and unfair. Life takes many surprising turns. But we should remember him as he lived, and honor him for his generosity and kindness.

Eric, my friend, you will be missed. Your commitment to your community, your love of your family, your love of life, your willingness to look for the best in people....all made you one of a kind and a truly special person. What a loss for your family and for all of us who were your friends and colleagues.  I can't imagine the heartbreak and sorrow your wonderful family is feeling right now and my heart goes out to them. We have all been lucky to know you.

Our family mourns the loss of such a wonderful and kind person.  Eric inspired so many children to play soccer, including our own daughters.  We will miss his heartfelt laugh and unbridled enthusiasm for life.  Our sincere condolences to Diane, Zach and Hannah.

Eric, you were taken from us far too soon and you will be so sorely missed by your many friends and your loving family. We shared such a tight bond that I will forever cherish and hold dear. Thanks for your love, your smiles, your advice and, yes, even your jokes. I hope you and Herb are now trading some good ones with each other and, hopefully, smiling down on us. We love you and will miss you, but the hole in our hearts will be filled with the 49 years of memories you left behind.      Linda, Dave and Vicky

To the Middleton Family,      My deepest condolences to you.  Eric was a wonderful person that I came to know while our agency engaged in a nation-wide search for a Fire Chief executive.       Throughout the years, we kept in touch.  He often would call just to simply bash on my Dodgers.  I returned the favor and called to bash on his Giants...  During the beginning of each baseball season, we would bet a six pack of diet coke to see which team had better stats at the end of the season.        In the last couple years, I would show up to our lunch appoinment at Gabbi's, his favorite local restaurant in Orange, with a six-pack of diet coke.  I will never forget his hearty laugh and sense of humor.        He was so proud of his beautiful family, his illustrious career, and his profession.  Eric, you will be missed!      Monica Vazquez   City of Orange - Human Resources

Dear Eric from your favorite sister-in-law we will miss your laughter and your funny emails. Quinn and Annie will miss the squirt gun fights and the Santa Claus phone calls. You made so many people feel special, especially Diane, Zach, Hannah and the dogs, Dodger and Reno. I hope you are telling your dad funny stories up in heaven. You left us way too soon. We love you and will miss you.

While I only knew Eric for a short time through his work with us on City Council in our search for a new City Manager, I considered him a friend.  His affability and sense of humor made him someone who you instantly liked.  It was a tremendous shock to hear of his passing, & I share the sadness that you as his family are feeling.

How do we say goodbye? Eric, you mean so much to our family...we all adored you. Sami loved playing soccer with you any chance she got. She loved the beach practices and just laughing with you and the girls. Katie and Sara loved how you included in them in practices and just made them part of the "team". You are so a part of what life is about....love!! You have the biggest heart and shared it so openly. Thank you for all of the beautiful memories we hold dear to our hearts. We will miss your smiling eyes and your great laugh!   Love, Mark, Virginia Sami, Katie & Sara Silvestri

Eric, you were an awesome boss and a wonderful friend and mentor! I am a better person because of you. I miss you, Eric!

I met Eric only a handful of times at different Egan party's. I enjoyed his company and my heart  goes out to Diana, Zach, Hannah, and family during this most difficult time.

My heart goes out to your family.  Eric, you made Monday through Friday non-stop fun. Thankfully, I have many good memories that will make me smile for the rest of my life. I'll miss you forever.

I will always remember Eric's smile above all else. Eric's warmth and good-natured fun were the primary characteristics I could count on whenever we ran into each other. A wonderful man, a great member of the community, and he made our world a better place.

What can I say about a man who loved my sister, brought my son home to surprise his family for Thanksgiving, shared in our celebrations and mourned with us in our times of loss. I will miss your sense of humor, our colorful discussions about politics and how your eyes lit up when we talked soccer...I don't think there will ever be another man that will insist we stay out of the kitchen at Thanksgiving and turn out the gourmet meals you did. You will be forever loved and always missed by one of your favorite sisters-in-law!

Eric was a terrific friend with whom I had many fun and stimulating conversations.  He absolutely loved his family and spoke of them often.  I will never forget Eric's enthusiasm for life, his family and his friends.  He was one of my very favorite friends and I will miss him forever.

We will miss you so much, dear friend.  You have made such an important impact on our daughter and for her love of soccer.  Your energy, character, wit and knowledge of the game will be missed by all.  We will always remember you coming to the defense of the girls, even if it meant getting thrown out of the game!!  What an amazing impact you've had on our family.  We will never forget you.  Your passion and enthusiasm, positivity and determination are unsurpassed.  How lucky are we to have known you!  God took you from us too soon though and here we are...  Maybe we are left on this earth to reflect and appreciate the many wonderful people, just like you Eric, that dedicate and volunteer so much time to others and who expect nothing in return but a little effort and a smile?  You have made a difference...although your death is so tragic to all of us, your life on this planet is a success story.

Dearest Lynne and Family,      Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.      Love,   Dottie & Nick Wahl

I will miss you my friend. The college bowl season will never be the same without us picking the bowls and needling each other back and forth. Thanks for your friendship, your laugh, and your smile.  This is a hugely tragic loss and I'm sending my deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to all family and friends.

During my years in city management, Eric was always helpful, efficient and humorous. Even after years of being in limited touch after I moved to Georgia, he offered, without hesitation, to help a collegue of mine who was laid off find work. He truly cared about the govt profession and about the people who serve in it. For him, it was always about the people. I will personally miss him & our friendship, and our profession will certainly suffer from this loss. I pray for his family & friends. Warmly,

Our love & support especially in this time of sadness. I love you my sweet cousin and am here for you!

We met in 11th grade in Mr.Daniels' history class.  You made me laugh, you made me cry, you gave me support when I was down, courage when I was afraid, and unwavering friendship for over 20 years.  The world is a little less bright without you, but wherever you are, those that are with you are very blessed indeed!  I will miss you, my friend!

OBITUARY

Eric Jon Middleton

July 6, 1962 – July 27, 2011

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