Obituary of Raymond A. Erickson

Raymond A. Erickson, 90, passed away Sunday June 19, 2016 in the Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility, Gerry, NY. He was born October 3, 1925 in Jamestown the son of the late Arthur R. and Rose Magnuson Erickson. Ray was a 1943 graduate of Jamestown High School. He was a US Army Veteran of WWII, serving in Texas, Hawaii, and the Philippines in a tank destroyer unit and then in an artillery unit where he was awarded several medals for sharp shooting. For 50 years, he was associated along with his father at Art Erickson and Son Garage, 1055 East Second Street, retiring in 1987. Upon retirement, he moved to Winchester, VA., where he worked part-time at World Wide Automotive in the quality control department. He was also active in the Winchester Moose and the Winchester Elks. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC where they loved the beach and the mild winters. Due to some health problems, he was forced to consider a change in life style. He and his wife moved to a cottage at Heritage Village in Gerry. He enjoyed participating in some of the activities there and also enjoyed reading, playing cards, and photography. He was a member of Christ First United Methodist Church in Jamestown. Surviving are his wife, Joyce Johnson Erickson whom he married October 11, 1969; a sister in law, Carol Johnson of Jamestown; and three cousins locally, Patricia Morton, Richard Johnson, and Herbert Magnuson. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday June 23, 2016 in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Samuel Shreffler, Heritage Group Chaplain will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701; or Heritage Ministries 4600 Route 60, PO Box 350 Gerry, NY 14740.