Obituary of Leon Erickson

Kernersville, North Carolina-Leon Erickson, 90, died in his sleep December 18, 2011 at Silas Creek Manor Nursing Home in Winston-Salem, NC. Graveside Military Honors will be held at the National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC on Monday April 16, 2012. Survivors include his daughters Sandy Elkington of Kernersville, GayLee Erickson of Indian, Alaska, and Melody Erickson-Deisher of Fairbanks, Alaska. Leon is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, an older brother Lydon Erickson of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and many nieces and cousins. A native of Skanee, Michigan, he was a WWII Veteran. Leon saw action in the Phillipines while serving in the Merchant Marines, and Germany, as an Infantryman in the Army. He often regaled any nearby ear with his adventures of a lifetime, from a young boy picking cotton through a "call" to Alaska where he and his family homesteaded in the 1960's. He worked for the Alaska Railroad from 1964 thru 1980. Leon loved the wilderness and in later years his flower and vegetable garden. Never missing an opportunity to entertain, Leon played his harmonica, recited poetry, and sang eloquently to prearranged audiences as he did to impromptu ones. At the age of 87 Leon was a contestant in the "Senior Idol" competition in Kernersville where he recited "The Courtin" by James Russell Lowell. A dreamer, romantic, and idealist Leon's quick wit and charming smile is remember in the hearts of all he touched. "I'll see you farther down the trail" is what Leon used to say upon parting from friends and family. There were never any tearful goodbyes. In lieu of any flowers, persons wishing to do so, may send a charitable donation in Leon's memory to the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens, P.O. Box 725, Kernersville, NC, 27285. Friends and family may sign, and view, the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com Service Information