Ernest Roy Erickson

Ernest Roy Erickson, 68, died Jan. 6 at home in Palmer.

Ernest was born Feb. 19, 1941, in Greybull, Wyo. He graduated from high school in Cody, Wyo., and served in the Navy, being stationed through Europe, Southeast Asia, Diego Garcia, and retiring as a Chief Petty Officer/E-7 in 1981 at Elmendorf AFB. He was first stationed in Adak in 1971. He lived in Anchorage from 1977 to 1982 and resided in Palmer since 1982.

Ernest also retired from the Alaska Dept. of Corrections at the rank of C02 in 1999.

He was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and a volunteer for the Red Cross of America.

Ernest was an avid motorcycle rider, and most of all he loved spending time with his granddaughters and reading.

His family states, “Dad was a great husband and father who cherished and lived for his two granddaughters, Hailey and Sheridan. Born in Greybull and growing up between Montana and Wyoming, he cultivated his love of the outdoors. He enlisted in the Navy after high school, which allowed him to travel the world. After being stationed in California, he met our mother Katherine. Dad moved the family to Alaska in 1977, and he would call if home for the rest of his life. An avid bicycle rider, after retiring from the Navy at the age of 40 he rode his bike from Anchorage to his childhood home town of Cody, Wyo. Dad did a great many things in life — small plane pilot, military retiree, correctional officer, built ultralights and started motorcycle riding at the age of 63. Most of all he loved his family and we will miss him.”

Ernest was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy and Thelma Erickson, and wife Katherine Erickson.

He is survived by his brother Gene Erickson of Oregon, his daughter Shawna Finley and son Lee Erickson, granddaughters Hailey and Sheridan, all of Wasilla.

Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes and Cremation Services — Kehl’s Palmer Chapel.