Long-time Whidbey Island resident John Erikson passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on July 16. He was surrounded by his devoted and loving family. John was born on Dec. 13, 1935 at the Midvale Store on Whidbey Island. He attended schools in Langley, graduating from Langley High School in 1954. John then graduated from Everett Community College and attended Western Washington University. He later served honorably in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s.
John married Janice Hedgcock on July 13, 1963 in Langley. John was a wonderful husband for all their 55 years of marriage. He was the best dad, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and cousin. He and Jan raised their two children (Jodi and Jana) on Whidbey Island at their home on Deer Lake. John developed an enormous amount of friends on Whidbey Island over the years due to his longtime residency on the island, his dedicated involvement in the community, his work at Puget Sound Energy and the CMA church in Langley. John was an active member of the CMA church, where he gave his life to Jesus Christ, his Lord and savior; and where he served in various leadership capacities. John and Jan moved to Lacey, Wash. in 2013, where they quickly established a close bond with many friends from their church and their neighborhood in Lacey.
John was active in various organizations, including volunteering with the South Whidbey fire department. He volunteered as coach for youth recreational softball and basketball teams, was an integral member of the Maxwelton softball teams in the 1950s and 60s and also an organizer and member of a select softball team in the 1970s, along with volunteer activities associated with the South Whidbey School district. He was very active at Turning Point Church in Lacey and the Thurston County Foodbank.
John had a passion for golf (as a longtime member and an excellent golfer at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club), softball, baseball, basketball, football, hockey, horseshoes, ping pong, cards, the Seahawks, Mariners, UW Husky athletics (go Dawgs), and almost anything else in which competing was involved. In his retirement years, John learned to ski and was a regular on the slopes for over 20 years. He loved supporting and attending his children’s, grandchild’s, brother’s, sisters’, nieces and nephew’s various activities.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years (Janice) and children Jodi (Andre) Erikson-Muldrew and Jana Erikson. One “very special and loved” grandchild Jordan Muldrew. He is also survived by sisters Pat (Dave) Hamman-Martinson and Sharon Moll; brother Gus (Lori) Erikson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to John’s caregivers over the past weeks, including hospice nurses and the loving care and expertise of their close friend Lori Elgin.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Island Church of Whidbey (formerly CMA) in Langley (503 Cascade Ave.) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11. In lieu of flowers the family suggests any donations be made to the Thurston County Foodbank or the American Cancer Society.
