(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Thomas (Tom) David Erickson, 91, died on October 29, 2024, in Pleasant Prairie, WI, leaving the love of his life, Carolyn Joy Erickson (Nee Roush) to continue what they had started. Tom was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 30, 1932. His father was John G. Erickson, and his mother was Rebecca M. Erickson (Nee Aumuller) He had two sisters, Jean B. Erickson, who married Thomas H. Watson, and Ruth M. Erickson, who married George Hindle.
Tom had memories of the WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, both of these last two had a strong influence on his enlisting in the U.S. Army Security Agency. He spent 28 months in Europe mostly with the 328th Communication Reconnaissance Company, which was located in Bad Aibling, Bavaria at the foot hills of the Bavarian Alps. The beauty of these mountains changed Tom’s career interests to geology. He was released three months early, in Jan 1955, to return to college to pursue this new goal. Tom graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA in Geology in September 1957. He continued his education at THE Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in September 1957. He graduated with an MS in Geology in 1959.
In November 1959 he started working for Owens-Corning Fiberglas in Glass Technology Department located in Newark, Ohio.
Tom met the love of his life, Carolyn J. Roush, an elementary school teacher, on a blind date in January 1960.They were married at Cheshire Baptist Church in October 1960. Their first son, David S. Erickson, was born in September 1962 in Newark, Ohio. Their second son, Karl D. Erickson was born in Newark, Ohio in March 1965.
Tom received his Ph.D in High Temperature Mineralogy in 1970. He applied his knowledge to help design glass compositions that were less air polluting to satisfy new EPA requirement form Federal laws and regulations. Tom took early retirement in 1989 from Owens Corning and worked a few years at Libby Owens Ford/Pilkington in Toledo, Ohio.
Tom and Carolyn devoted many years to RVing across the United States ultimately becoming snow-birds after settling in Florida for the winters. During their trips west they found Voyager RV Resort where they both were taught by very helpful teachers’ new skills, including lapidary, silversmithing, painting with oils, acrylics and watercolors, and wood carving. They both wrote their life stories and started a lifelong journey investigating their genealogy.
Tom is survived by his soulmate, Carolyn, and two sons and their families. David resides in Lewis Center, Ohio with his wife Mary (nee Botts). Their daughter, Jennifer, her husband Adam Diehl and their three children, Claire, Luke and Owen. Karl resides in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin with his wife Jodi (nee Lehner). Their children include Kayci Krucas (Keith Duberstein), Thomas Erickson and Lillian Erickson. Tom also has a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, at 11:00AM at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church (8760 37th Avenue Kenosha) Visitation with the family will be at the church from 10:00AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ELCA Outreach Center, 6218 26th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53143.
Casey Family Options Funeral & Cremations
3016 75th Street Kenosha WI 53142
262-653-0667
www.caseyfamilyoptions.com
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Bob Hilliard, Chapin, SC says:
It was with much sadness that I received the message that Tom had passed. I served with Tom in the 328th Comm./Recon. Co. at Bad Aibling, Germany in the early 50’s. What a wonderful place to spend our Army enlistment and meet so many wonderful individuals. I will notify our members of his death and will have the family in my prayers during these very difficult days and may God’s Peace be with each one of you.
Mary Zorn says:
Tom has been a light in this world! We will miss his smile and laughter!
Jim & Dianne Ballard says:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carolyn and the entire family. We have so many wonderful memories spending time with you and your family. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.
Michelle Mitchell says:
Karl, we both send our sincerest condolences to you and your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time God Bless ❤️🙏 Michelle and Henry
Dorothy Stirrup says:
Wow. What a great and interesting life! He qaa a special guy. I remember him and Jean taking my mom (Aunt Kay) and Audrey and me to the Kutztown Fair. And then there was the time we went to the Flemington Fair and no one wanted to go on a crazy ride with me, so he did! We wound up-upside down- at the top if the ride for what seemed like a very long time. He never lost his sense of humor…even when things started falling out of his shirt pocket. Loved ya cuz!! Dotty Stirrup
Don Dawson says:
So sorry for your loss David, you have our condolences & prayers from Reynoldsburg ohio , the Dawson family
Sonja Wolfe says:
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences. My heart goes out to your family. Prayers for you all.
Rick Martin says:
Oh, I’m so sad to here of Tom’s passing. I grew up next to Mr. & Mrs. Erickson and Dave and Karl. We were neighbors for 20 years. What a great guy. I have very fond memories of our times together. Carolyn, David and Karl – I’m so sorry for your loss.
Bob & Debbie Berger says:
Karl and Jodi, our sincerest condolences for your loss. Tom was a wonderful man and we will miss visiting with him at family events. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Love, Bob & Debbie Berger
Beverly Aumuller Womack says:
Wow, it hurts so bad reading this, even though I knew only a nano-percent of my cousin’s full life. Aren’t we all so grateful for the last time we spoke to Tom. My! the contribution he made by simply being TOM! What a huge loss to Carolyn and family. Deep, deep condolence.
And yes Tom, you looked SO much like my Dad.