'Til We Meet Again

Carl Richard Eriksson, 64, beloved husband, dad, grandpa and brother, returned with honor to his Heavenly Father on May 18, 2010 surrounded by loved ones.

He was born on April 25, 1946 in Norwalk, Connecticut to Carl and Dorit Eriksson. He is the youngest of six children. At a young age Dad grew to love missionary work as he served with his parents when they were called to be building missionaries in Samoa and Sweden. He was later called back to Sweden to serve as a full time missionary. Upon his return he enrolled at BYU where he met his eternal sweetheart, Linda Cowin. They were married for time and all eternity on April 4, 1972 in the Salt Lake Temple. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career in Fullerton, California and ended as the General Manager for Kearns Improvement District. He was known to be fair and patient, always taking time to listen to his employees. He was well liked and deeply respected by those he worked for and those who worked for him.

Dad served faithfully in many callings in the LDS church, his favorite calling being a missionary on Temple Square. Dad lived the gospel as he preached it and became an example to many, leaving his imprint forever on our hearts.

The crown jewel of his life was his family. Even through his most difficult trials, Dad was a man of great integrity, eternal faith, and unwavering optimism. He is adored by his family and all who know him. Dad is our hero.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Mike and Tina Eriksson, Wade and Ann Ashton, Ryan and Heidi Eriksson, Justin and Mandy Smart, Reed and Leigh Eriksson, Andy and Jenny Johnson; 17 grandchildren; and his siblings, Rick, Sally, Millie, Irene and Bob.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the South Jordan Stake Center located at 2450 West 10400 South in South Jordan at 11 am.

A viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Friday, May 21, at the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road. A viewing will also precede the funeral service on Saturday from 9-10:30 am at the South Jordan Stake Center.

Thank you, Dad, for your life, your love, your example. We love you. Until we meet again.

Prayers

Dad's health is not improving, but he remains positive and happy and as strong spiritually as ever. He and mom are such wonderful examples. He is home from work now. We got news last week that there is a fast growing tumor on his liver. It is giving him jaundice and he isn't as strong as he has been. His body is still fighting, we are still hoping for a miracle. In a talk that President Uchtdorf gave this last conference, he said, "Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" Oh, how well Dad has endured! We are trying to be patient ourselves perhaps not as patient as Dad. Come visit if you can, he is tired, but he and Mom enjoy the company. Keep praying for him.

Easter Blessings II

I can't believe I have let an entire year slip by. I noticed today that it has been exactly one year since I last updated this blog. I haven't been the best informer. So, for any of you who have actually checked this blog on a regular basis and might faint of shock, please sit down.

As far as Dad's health goes, well, he has had his ups and downs. I think, that he has had a lot of good reports this past year. It has been 19 months since he was first diagnosed. He has been on chemotherapy for about 17 of those months. He had a break last August and part of September and then got a PT scan right after. It revealed that his cancer was still shrinking which, of course, was wonderful news. Not too long after, Dad started having pain in his back. They found that he had cancer in his back bones and it has been very painful to him. He is currently undergoing radiation to treat his bones and is also working with a doctor to help him manage his pain. He and Mom are, as always, faithful and patient and optimistic. For those of you who still occasionally check this blog we thank you for your prayers.

I thought I'd post a few pictures of our family from our annual Eriksson family Easter Egg Hunt. Our family has grown by three since I last posted. Mike and Tina had a baby boy August 1, Ryan and Heidi were able to adopt a baby girl in August as well and I had a baby in December. So now, Mom and Dad have 17 grandkids under the age of 11! It is quite a group when we get together. The kids all have so much fun with their cousins.