Eric Purser

Eric Purser, tugboat captain, stunt car driver, tattoo artist, and adventurer, was born in Alaska and his family relocated to California during his childhood. He graduated from the California Maritime Academy, the start of a lifetime as a mariner. As a ship’s captain he lived all over the world, including Mexico and England.

Part of his professional career included oil spill prevention and cleanup. He was instrumental in attempting to clean up the Valdez oil spill and directed a fleet of boats in cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

Eric, as a tattoo artist, was fascinated by the history of tattoo and made a significant contribution to preserving and documenting information about tattoo artists, especially those in Alaska. He was an avid surfer and biker, and even, on occasion, drove stunt cars through a wall of fire.

He is survived by his son, Logan, his daughter, Allanna, two grandchildren, Aubrey and Ellora, his brother, Ro, Ro’s partner, Rene’ Shepherd, nieces Amelia, Willa, and Rain, and his sweetheart, Sandra Jarvis.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to Good Cheer where Eric was a regular volunteer.