Obituary

Robert Cray Erickson, age 94 of Mesa, AZ passed away on February 20, 2024 at the Apache Junction Health Center.

Robert (Bob) was born on December 10, 1929 in Nashua, MT to Carl Alton and Jesse Lucinda Erickson. He attended schools in Centerville, MT before joining the Air Force and serving in Korea.

Following his time served, Bob settled in Great Falls, MT and was self-employed in various trades including carpentry, insulation and building and operating his own mini-storage units. He was a builder of many things over the years including a cabin in Neihart, MT, a home (with his wife Darlene) in Great Falls, MT, numerous playhouses and toy boxes for his grandchildren, various remodeling projects for himself as well as his children and beautiful furniture. Many of those items will be treasured by his family for years to come.

Bob was one-of-a-kind. His hobbies included making the best pizzas around, running marathons (including the Boston Marathon) and motorcycle riding (he went to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD with his wife Darlene when he was in his 70s). He absolutely loved to dance. Bob also had an extraordinarily strong spiritual faith!

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Carl, and his mother, Jesse. He was also preceded in death by his siblings: Scotchie Fullerton, Doug Erickson, Shirley Smith, Betty Marshal and Carl Erickson.

Bob is survived by his precious wife Darlene, his children, Bobbi (Joe) Atchison, Dean (Linda) Erickson, Deena (Skip) Verworn and Dulcy (Kelly) Hubbert. Also surviving Bob are his grandchildren, Evan, Joely and Trevor Atchison, Matty, Rylee and Shayna Erickson, Shawna (Dustin) Christofferson, Lyndsey (Casey) Harris, Dale (Lindsay) Hubbert and Mykaylee (Corbin) Fuchs. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life for Bob will be held on March 2, 2024 at the Arizona Skies Clubhouse at 602 S. 87th Way, Mesa, AZ from 2-4 pm.

Interment will be held later this summer at the Fort Harrison Veterans’ Cemetery in Helena, MT (date and time TBD).

Bob’s family will forever feel his presence and miss him each and every day!

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 2020 E. Woodside Court, Gilbert, AZ 85297.