David Ericksen

David Kent Ericksen



December 22, 1937 - November 3, 2016



David Kent Ericksen was born on December 22, 1937 to Wanda Marie Hulse Erickson and Moroni Charles "Charley" Erickson in Grace, Idaho. David grew up in SE Idaho, settling in Pocatello, Idaho, where David graduated from Pocatello High School in 1956.



David served an honorable, full-time mission for the LDS Church in Peru and Uruguay from 1958-1960. While attending Brigham Young University, he met the love of his life, Doreen Annette Parker. They married on September 15, 1963 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. Together they raised four children: Michael Kent Ericksen (Judith) of Tualatin, OR; Trina Christiansen of Salt Lake City, UT; Ryan Thomas Ericksen (Katie) of Edmond, OK; Harry "J.R." Smith of Ogden, UT.



After graduation from Brigham Young University in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, David moved his family to San Jose, CA to work for IBM. While in San Jose/Morgan Hill from 1964-1978, he worked for other Silicon Valley firms such as Memorex and Fairchild Semiconductor. He completed two master's degree in systems engineering; one from Santa Clara University and another from San Jose State University. David had opportunities to ride the tech industry wave of success during the boom years in Silicon Valley, but instead he and Doreen chose to relocate in 1978 to Utah to be closer to aging parents and extended family. David taught data processing at Weber State College in Ogden for a couple of years. He then joined the fledgling tech company I-Omega. Finally, David was hired at Hill AFB as a software/systems engineer in the ICBM Missile Software department. Yes, he was in fact a rocket scientist. David retired in 2006, after serving his country there for 24 years.



David enjoyed travelling with his family. Doreen and Dave saw many areas of the world, including Scotland, Germany, Italy, Israel, Sweden, the Caribbean, Canada, South America, and most of the USA. David enjoyed golfing and was extremely handy with home projects. He was his own electrical subcontractor in building their custom home in Morgan Hill, CA; he finished his full basement in Ogden nearly singlehandedly; he replaced the roof on his own as well as his parents' home; he created the automated sprinkler system.



All who knew David enjoyed his sharp wit, even as his health faltered in his final years. He offered dozens of comical explanations for his amputated index finger (the truth was a lawn mower accident at age 4 years). He acquired friendships everywhere he went and had no enemies. David remained a faithful High Priest and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout his life. His was a life of service, especially as his parents aged. He simply took care of business for them and other loved ones in need.



Survivors include his eternal companion, Doreen, his children, 11 grandchildren, and his brother, Bruce Ericksen (BethAnn). Proceeding him in death are his parents and his elder brother, Roger.



Funeral services will be held on Friday, 11 November 2016, at 11:00 am at the Burch Creek 4th Ward LDS Chapel, 4955 Adams Ave., South Ogden, Utah. A viewing will be held there at 9:30 am.



In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the American Diabetes Association (ADA), or the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.