Larry A Erickson

Larry Erickson was born June 19, 1951 in Kalispel, Montana; and passed away unexpectedly at home on March 14, 2012. He is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Susan, of Chattaroy; his children, Melanie (Joe) Walters and Josh (Kalee) Erickson; and his 7 grandchildren, Gabbie, Asher, Jaiden, Braysen, Maycie, Kyler and Hudsen, all of Spokane. He was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Winnie Erickson; father-in-law, Ed Haeger; his granddaughter Gracie; and two nephews. He is also survived by his sister, Donna (Allen) Shilliam of Deer Park; his in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, and relatives in Washington and Montana. Larry spent his childhood in Montana, North Dakota, Airway Heights, Spokane, and then the last 35 years in Chattaroy. He graduated from Shadle Park High School; and worked several jobs, including Spokane County, the oil fields in Alaska, and the Spokane City Police Department as a patrolman and firearms instructor from 1974 until his retirement in 2002. While on the Police Department, Larry received a Medal of Merit Award for “going the extra mile”. For the last 10 years, he has been a federal Court Security Officer at the United States Courthouse in Spokane. Larry loved many things, including talking, hunting, camping, talking, cooking/BBQing, "tinkering" in his shop, talking, inventing "a better mousetrap", welding, building, his dog Stuart, RVing to soccer tournaments, talking, reading, solving all the world's problems in his garage over a beer, and last but certainly not least, the lights of his life, his grandkids. Our husband, father, and friend was certainly a one-of-a-kind man who touched so many lives. He taught us how to love and how to live, and how to work hard at everything. He was always “just peachy” and showed us how fulfilling life can be when you live it selflessly, and invest in the lives of others. In keeping with Larry's wishes, there will be no formal funeral or memorial service, but an informal "celebration of life" at a later time.