BRADEN EUGENE ERICKSON

Braden Eugene Erickson, 13, passed away May 20, 2005 at his home in Tolleson, Ariz.

Services were handled by Valley West Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, Ariz. The Rev. Terry Boyer led the services. A memorial service will be held in Alaska at a later date.

Braden was born Feb. 19, 1992 in Palmer.

In 2001 the family moved from Wasilla to Kihei, Maui, Hawaii and then to Tolleson, Ariz., in 2003.

Braden was in seventh grade at Underdown Middle School in Tolleson. He loved fishing and would spend any available time doing that. He loved the ocean, snorkeling, surfing, boogie boarding, riding bikes, reading, eating candy and being outdoors.

He was fascinated by reptiles, in particular by snakes and lizards. He leaves behind his pet ball python, Squeeze, and many other pets.

His family wrote, "Braden was a generous, intelligent, funny young man with a charming off-the-wall sense of humor who believed in standing up for those who were being picked on. He was always willing to be second in whatever was being done and willing to share his knowledge on the best way to catch a fish. He is a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend who will be missed terribly forever."

He is survived by his mother, Heather Blythe of Tolleson; father, Guy Erickson; Larry Blythe and Jesse Blythe, all of Tolleson, Ariz., and Cory Erickson of Anchorage, and his very special fishing buddies; aunt and uncle, Tammi and James Pruss of Tolleson; grandparents, Lyndi and Al Trost and Florence and Arlo Erickson, all of Palmer, and Alice and Larry Blythe of Wasilla. He is also survived by a large number of other extended family members.

Students and friends from his school held a car wash for his family in Tolleson and many spoke of his kindness at his services. Two fresh-flower leis were sent from his former school in Hawaii.