Leroy H. Erickson

LeRoy Henry Erickson, 95, of Pocatello, passed away on June 29, 2013, at the Portneuf Medical Center. He was born in Pocatello on January 26, 1918, to Emil S V Erickson and Sofia Elizabeth Wallin, the third of eight children. The family moved to Moreland, Idaho, in 1932 and lived on the family farm. LeRoy graduated from Moreland High School in 1936. He married Helen Hix in 1949. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1955. The love of his life, Helen, passed away in 1987. He later married Donna Gooch. LeRoy worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 39 years, from 1939 to 1978, as a sheet metal worker. He joined the United States Navy after Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific area from February 1942 until December 1945. At the time of his discharge he earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer. LeRoy was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International. He held the position of Local Chairman in the Pocatello Union. In 1970 he traveled to Boise to prevent the closing of the railroad shops in Pocatello. Because of this, more jobs were created in the Pocatello Railroad facility. LeRoy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved the outdoors and hunting and fishing. He also loved the farm and raised horse. LeRoy also enjoyed going to dances and spending time with family. He is survived by his five children; Deanna (Don) Parris of Pleasant Grove, UT, Vickie (Neil) Hurley of Rigby, ID, Randy Erickson of McCammon, ID, Becky (Jack) Betty of Stevenson, WA, Kathy (Jeff) Orr of Beaverton, OR; 17 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren; sister Glayds Mickelson of St. Charles, ID, and brother Wallace Erickson of Rigby, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Helen and Donna, and granddaughter Harmony Parris and great-grandson Gabriel Dunaway, two sisters and two brothers. The last years of his life he was lovingly taken care of by his son, Randy, who spent endless hours in his care. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at the LDS Chapel on the corner of 4 th and Fredregil. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Military honors will follow services at Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.