Carl Joseph Erickson

1950 ~ 2021

Viewing:

Feb. 9, 2021
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
2350 E. 1300 S. Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
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  • Service:

    Feb. 10, 2021
    11:00 AM
    1455 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84105
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  • Carl Joseph Erickson, 70, cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 30, 2021, at his home in Aiken, South Carolina while awaiting a liver transplant. Carl was born March 29, 1950 in Salt Lake City to Joseph Glen and Charlotte Boden Erickson. He lived in the same house his entire life and attended Uintah School, Clayton Jr. High, and East High School. He served an LDS mission in Sydney, Australia and returned to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering from BYU.
    He married his (rival) high school sweetheart, Shauna Lisa Shields, May 22, 1972 in the Salt Lake Temple. They remained best friends throughout their 49-year-marriage. They met performing in the musical “Promised Valley” for the Salt Lake summer tourists in 1967 as teenagers. That became prophetic as they produced, staged, and directed a number of productions and concerts throughout the years. They were the perfect director/tech manager team and loved bringing these experiences to so many people, especially youth.
    Carl’s career brought him much joy and success. He was a senior level site security designer for the most prestigious firms in the nation including Texas Instruments, Raytheon, HDR, Johnson Controls, Lockheed Martin, the Dept. of Defense, and most recently the Dept. of Energy at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
    His family spent 34 years in Dallas and Coppell, Texas, and 7 years in North Potomac, Maryland where they met amazing friends and served in many rewarding capacities in the LDS Church.
    Carl is survived by his eternal sweetheart, Shauna, and his best friends, his children: Chad (Barbie) Erickson of Lewisville, Texas, Blake (Mindy) Erickson of Herriman, Utah, Lisanne (Jeff) Steele of Bluffdale, Utah, Lance (Bree) Erickson of Parker, Texas, Heidi (Jared) Ellsworth of Sandy, Utah, and Dane (Heidi) Erickson of Marietta, Ga. and 14 adored grandchildren, Collin, Connor, Abbie, Brandon, Cohen, Emily, Brooklyn, Elle, Bentley, Crosby, Kallen, Kian, Eve, and a new one in June. He is also survived by his brothers John (Kris) Erickson of Holladay, Utah, David (Teri) Erickson of East Millcreek, Utah, a sister, Christine (Ray) Wagstaff of Salt Lake City, and many special nieces and nephews.
    There will be a visitation on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at Larkin Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South from 6-8 P.M. Masks are required. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Colonial Hills Ward LDS Chapel at 1455 South 1700 East at 11:00 A.M. Masks and social distancing required. The service will be streamed. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84130399335?pwd=bVBrRHgza0JvdkR4VkN0N3Bwa2ZOdz09
    Very special thanks to the terrific friends who enriched Carl’s life along the way. We love and appreciate you.


    Guestbook/Condolences

    Carl was very good man and will be missed.

    We love you Shauna and our prayers are with you.


    - Robert Bielamowicz

    I"am sorry about ur dad he is a great special person and I really miss u and u have Alot of person in ur family and friends 🦅


    - Bradley rossel

    Family,
    We were saddened to hear of Carl's passing. A real surprise. We love you all and you are in our prayers. He was a great example to us all in his quiet non-assuming way.
    Much love
    Larry and Tammy Pinnock


    - Larry Pinnock

    Carl was one of the best people I ever knew. He truly cared, with words and actions, and that's a rare thing. I know he will be dearly missed by many, many people.


    - Celia Paulsen

    Dear Heidi and family. We are so sorry for your loss. May you find peace and strength from the love and support of all of us who love you.
    Love from Aunty Dessie and family (Australia) ❤️


    - Desiree Wikaira

    Shauna, the event planner, What a fine obituary and memorial of Carl. You made a great team with your active lives. We miss you and Carl as our fearless 'TEN' leaders who provided such a broad scope of activities for Kentland's Ward empty nesters, as well as, the Nelson's favorite baseball buddies. We love you and wish you the best at this time. Love, Corinne Nelson


    - Corinne Nelson

    Dear Shauna, We love both you and Carl and are so grateful you spent 7 years lighting our lives in Kentlands. We have such fond memories of the many FHE activities you and Carl created for us. And it was so much more than that -- both of you jumped in fully from the time you arrived in Maryland to serve. Carl in particular was always so easy going, gentle and likeable. What a tremendous complementary couple you are -- past tense is not needed as your relationship is eternal. May you be blessed with great comfort during this time of transition. You are SO loved. I keep thinking of the song you had Crawford Gates compose, "Joy Cometh in the Morning!" May the anticipation of that joyful reunion carry you forward.


    - Jeff and Merikay Smith

    Love this Man!! Such a Good, Kind and Caring Person!! Love how much he LOVES his wife and family and would ANYTHING for them - so Loving & Supportive!! It is an honor to know Carl and cherish so many fun and wonderful memories spent with him. We are thinking of the Erickson Family at this time. We Love You and Pray that You Will Feel Peace & Comfort during this challenging time. Mike & April Faldmo and Family


    - April Faldmo

    Carl is an amazing half of an amazing team. Although Shauna may have been the more vocal visible half, it was clear that Carl provided the wind beneath her wings, and together they were a constant dependable force for good. We will all miss Carl's calm, consistent contributions to each of his communities. The world will be a sadder place without his steady smile and kindness. We pray for Shauna and their family to be blessed with peace in this temporary parting.


    - Heather and Peter Cooke

    We love you all. Even though we haven't seen enough of you we feel a closeness that is real. See you Wednesday


    - Marcus

    I am very saddened by the news of Carl's passing. My sincere condolences to Carl's family. Carl was a great member of our team and an excellent engineer. He will be missed by us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Andrew Drutel
    Savannah River Site


    - Andrew Drutel

    So sorry for your loss, Shauna (and family). As you might recall, Carl was a friend from my youth as I grew up in Colonial Hills Ward along with Carl. When we were teenagers Carl played bass guitar for a group we were in along with Dave Mortensen. I think we were called the "Other Side." I knew you both when you first started dating. I've always liked Carl and the family he came from, all really good people - salt of the earth. I am saddened at his passing. I wish the very best for you and your family. May the Lord's comforting spirit embrace you and help you through the future.


    - Thomas Dean Wood

    Shauna, we're sorry for your loss. It's been 40 years since we were newlyweds living in your basement apartment. We have great memories from those times living below you and Carl. He was always kind and supportive, and we're grateful to both of you for helping us start our lives together. Best wishes to you and your family.


    - Mike & Becky Busath

    Dear Shauna, So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember one of the first times I met Carl and his comments were all about you and his appreciation for you. I will miss his smile and kind manners. You two are a great team. I am so grateful for the eternal perspective you hold; therefore, I look forward to greater team work from Carl and Shauna in the future.


    - Janet Gress

    In this world; full of darkness, selfishness, and greed, there are still pure rays of sunshine; full of Hope, Love, and Good Will towards others. Carl was an exceptional example of one of those rays. And an exceptional example of the type of person we all should strive to be like. Carl’s kind heart, friendly demeanor, and all around caring and giving personality made such an impact on my life; and not just mine alone, but on everyone who he interacted with. Carl liked to converse with everyone. He loved telling stories from his life, and he had a lot of stories to tell because he lived a wonderful and rich life; full of experiences and interactions with others. Just thinking on that alone, makes me smile. Thinking of all the lives that Carl has touched over the past 70 years, and the compounding impact he has made on so many lives. Carl’s contribution to humanity may not be documented in any humanitarian award index, but whether you knew Carl for the past 70 years or just the past 7 months, there is no denying he made a positive impact of epic proportion on all the lives that were blessed to intersect with his. I personally only had the pleasure of knowing Carl for 10 months, and I truly count myself blessed to have had that time. Looking forward, I am hopeful now that our remaining time in this world without Carl by our sides will ultimately lead us to a day when we will all be reunited again, and we can tell him stories of the lives we have touched; having had such an example as him to follow. I will miss my friend no doubt, and I send my deepest condolences to Carl’s wonderful family and his plethora of friends, who all together have been impacted by his life and his loss. Although the ray of sunshine has gone away, the evidence of it in this world carries on in all of us. We move forward improved by his example, warmed by his actions, and strengthened by his love. Rest in peace my friend. I thank The Lord above for giving us the time we had with you.


    - Brent Smith

    Shauna and family ~

    Our family sends our love and are grateful we were touched by the goodness of your husband and father. He was wonderful in so many ways and we will always remember his happy laugh and warm smile. We truly hope the many special memories you share and hold in your hearts will help you through this difficult time. We will be watching the funeral and appreciate the opportunity to do so. Our love always, The Janis Family


    - Roark and Becky Janis

    Shauna - Debby and I are so sorry to hear of Carl's passing. We often think of you and your family. I fondly remember your holiday decorations and the welcoming spirit in your home. Carl always had a smile and can be remembered as a friend to everyone. His testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was strong and evident in his actions. God bless you and your family.


    - Tim & Debby O'Brien

    Shauna, how can I convey my sadness and happy sweet memories at the same time of you and Carl. All the hospitality you both extended to Bill and me and many others over the Coppell years. Carl's bright smile is how I'll always remember him because of you and your wonderful children. You'll always be welcomed here. Please call on me anytime. We love you both. Separated temporarily, eternally bound.


    - Susan Cohrs

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Carl is in paradise highly engaged in heavenly labors there. We just need to continue in the hope of joining him when the Lord calls us to pass through the veil. May heavenly peace attend you now and always. God bless you.


    - John & Sharon Hirschy

    Shauna, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Eric was a wonderful person; so full of the Spirit. My prayers go out to you and your family. May the Spirit of the Holy Ghost comfort you.


    - Kelly L Caskey

    Shauna,
    What a gentle, kind man Carl was! How we will miss him! I’ll never forget the conversations we had together while you and Brad were carrying on some intelligent banter!!
    Wonderful memories! I hope to see more of you! Love you!


    - Cheryl Mayne

    May the peace of our Lord comfort all. We are so honored that we were able to get to know Mr. Erickson and how generous he was with his time.

    Love the Howell family
    Flower Mound, Texas


    - Barry Howell

    Blake,

    I just wanted to offer my condolences to your and your family. It was a beautiful service and while I did not know your father, I know that he raised a wonderful son and for that I am very grateful. Know you and your family are in our prayers always.

    Sincerely,

    K.C. Madill & Family


    - K.C. Madill

    Shauna, Carl was a great friend and mentor, the two of you have given Cheryl and I cherished moments ever since we met you. The world has been a better place due to Carl’s positive influence for everyone he came into contact. My sympathies to you and the family at your loss, and I know that Carl will be making a positive contribution in heaven. You are in my thoughts and prayers, and pray you will continue to feel of our Saviors love as you remember the love you have shown to Carl and family. God bless!


    - Brad Mayne

    Dear Shauna, it was such a beautiful funeral this morning, and what a dear family you have. We love you and are grateful for all that you and Carl have done and still do for others. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.


    - Rachel Weidman

    I think of Carl as an unwavering support to family and friends. He had an easy going personality and a can do attitude. A kind smile. A forever friend. So glad you were a part of our lives.


    - Olivia Cangelosi

    Carl: Hey, Scott, what you working on?
    Scott: You know, just another show.
    Carl: So how can I help?
    Scott: Why, you can be the technical director, of course.
    Carl: When do we start?
    Scott: I dunno. I gotta write it first.
    Carl: You know what you should really write? A show about (name a topic)
    Scott: We should totally do something like that.
    Carl: And you know, my cousin was actually there.
    Scott: No kidding?
    Carl: And he told me (name a theory)
    Scott: Figures.
    Carl: But here's the cool part. The other night I had a dream. And who shows up but my great-grandfather, whom I'd never met. And he tells me it's true. And Brigham actually wrote about it.
    Scott: I believe it.
    Carl: I believed it before he told me. (bears a quick, piercing testimony, like this was the punch line all along. tears up.)
    Scott: I love your stories.


    - Scott Knell

    Me heart goes out to Shauna and her and Carl’s children and their families. I am praying that Shauna and they can be strengthened and feel the peace of our Savior now and in the coming days and weeks ahead at such a large loss as Carl.

    Carl was a great man. I enjoyed the time I got to know Carl while he and Shauna lived in Gaithersburg, MD. It wasn’t long enough, though. Carl always had a smile on his face and a joke or a funny story to tell to fill life with humor. I loved that about him. It was evident in all he did how much he cares for his family and his incredible love for Shauna. Carl adored Shauna. One simple recollection I have with Carl is a conversation we had a few years ago. I felt I should talk to him. So we arranged it. I don’t really remember much of anything from the conversation, but spending that time with Carl, hearing him talk about his life and his family and how he was doing and getting to know him a little better and feeling of his goodness was a moment I will cherish. I enjoyed spending that time with him. Carl, thank you for your goodness and great example of living a life of love for God and family; you will be missed!


    - Sterling Crowder

    Erickson Family,

    Our entire family sorrows with you at Carl's passing. We have great memories of times shared with the Erickson family. Ward meetings, parties at your home, service projects, school trips and many other events with you and Carl flood our memories and fill us with joy. I recall one Ward Council when Carl, who was serving as ward mission leader at the time, said that the most significant thing he could do in his calling was to help people get to the temple. Carl understood the blessings of the temple and lived his life so that he qualified for those blessings.

    As we mourn together, our prayers are that you will be filled with peace and joy because of the Father's plan enable by His loving Son which makes possible a joyful, eternal family reunion.

    With love and tenderness,

    Dave, Rachel and Kids


    - David N. Weidman

    The Neatherys send their love and prayers. Remember Carl fondly..


    - Nanette neathery

    My faith tells me that Carl and I shall meet again to update our long interlinked history at Texas Instruments. I loved teaming and scheming with Carl to solve a continuous stream of work related problems for over 20 years, his smile and terrific personality made life rewarding and worth sharing. I knew about Carl's troubles and he knew of mine, these facts made life's problems both surmountable and insignificant, and actually shared by all in one form or another. I know better than to say farewell to Carl, but will add a "See you later!" with a warm smile and wave.

    Please keep the Faith. As you know, we are all in this together.


    - Jim Myers, Colonel, US Army (Retired)