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Donald G. Erickson
Born: 10/16/1921
Died: 12/22/2021
Age: 100
Community: Flushing , MI
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FLUSHING: Donald George Erickson, "Don" passed away at his home on December 22, surrounded by his family, he was 100 years old. Loved and admired by many, cherished by his family with a heart of gold he lead a life centered around his family, work and community.
Don was born in a cabin on October 16th, 1921, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to George and Ruth Erickson. The Ericksons then moved to Michigan in the 1920’s and initially settled in Highland Park. At the beginning of the depression he worked as a “soda jerk” and acquired a paper route through Palmer Park. In 1935 the family moved to Birmingham, where Don graduated from Baldwin high school in 1940. He worked at General Motors in Pontiac after high school. His formal education began in Flint, at General Motors Institute (GMI) now Kettering University, where he completed his mechanical engineering automotive studies after returning home from World War II.
During the war, he served in the US Navy, starting as a Reservist, on the destroyer USS Crane and subsequently as a Machinist Mate (first class) on the USS Kilty, which was a naval destroyer converted to an APD (attack personnel destroyer) landing troops on hostile shores. Don served in the South Pacific 1941-1945, including the consolidation of the Southern Solomon Islands in 1943 through to the end with the Okinawa operation. His naval unit was awarded exceptional merits against Japanese aircraft, shore batteries, and submarines during the South Pacific campaign. After the war and with the completion of his college education, Don stayed at GMI and taught hydraulics.
Don met the love of his life while on a ski trip in Northern Michigan. He married Joan Potts in 1952, moved to Flushing, where they continued to enjoy skiing, golf, and raising a family. Don was employed in Flint as an engineer at GM Fisher Body until his retirement in 1987.
Don enjoyed volunteering and serving others. He volunteered in several local organizations, including the Flushing Lions Club, Flushing PTA, Alzheimer Association, Special Olympics and Trinity Episcopal Church. His deepest passion was for the National Ski Patrol where he served 50 plus years and was awarded the lifetime member in 2014. Don joined the National Ski Patrol (NSPS) in 1957 and was appointed National Patroller #2525 in 1962. He was patrol leader of three Michigan patrols,1958-68 and Northern Michigan 2 Section Chief from 1963-65. He earned several awards throughout the years including Central Division Outstanding Patrolman in 1969, he was Schuss Mt (Shanty Creek Resort) Patrol Awards Advisor from 1980 to 1999 and received the NSPS Distinguished Service Award in 2001. But the thing that described Don best, was the 2005-06 Park-Willis “Everyday Patroller” award, as his service on the Schuss Mt. ski patrol was his passion.
He loved the outdoors and pursued it by spending time gardening, yard work, camping, golfing, downhill skiing and also cross-country skiing. He was blessed with wonderful friends with whom he loved spending time. Don’s greatest love was his wife, Joan, who predeceased him in 2007. He was devoted to his daughters, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren and loved being with all of them.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Jack Erickson. He
is survived by his sister Joy Ruth Weber and two daughters Andrea Erickson (his primary caregiver) and Christine (Rick) VanTongeren; along with 2 grandchildren, Todd (Helen) VanTongeren and Eric (Lauren) VanTongeren; 5 great-grandchildren; and nieces Diane Curry, Carol Henley, and Rita Weber.
A Memorial Service will be held in January of 2022 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Flushing, and a Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring at Shanty Creek Resort. Dates and times to be announced. Memorial contributions can be given to Special Olympics Michigan or Leader Dogs for the Blind.
The family would like to offer our deepest thanks and appreciation to the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice of Flint and Right at Home Care of Grand Blanc who helped care for our Dad at home. Please visit Don’s webpage at to sign the guestbook and share a message or memory with his family. |
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12/22/2021 |
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