Rev. Dr. Craig Douglas Erickson

Rev. Dr. Craig Douglas Erickson, PhD, an ELCA Lutheran pastor, died of a heart attack while riding his bicycle around White Rock Lake on December 29, 2011. Our heartfelt thanks go to the gentleman who found him.

Craig was born February 20, 1948, in Topeka, Kansas to Ruth and Roy Erickson. He was a graduate of North Park University in Chicago, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Notre Dame. Ordained in 1975, Pastor Erickson served Presbyterian congregations in Indiana, Oregon, and Washington. He served a four-year calling as pastor of Tokyo Union Church. He also ministered to congregations in Michigan, Illinois, and Texas, most recently as senior pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in south Dallas. He was a published author of several books and numerous articles on preaching and worship, with three new manuscripts ready for publication. Craig was an avid bicyclist, woodworker, traveler and hiker, climbing many of the snow-capped peaks of the Pacific Northwest, including Mt. Rainier. Craig was a profound thinker with a deep, loving heart.

His father, Roy, and daughter, Gabriella, preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Nott; his children, Nate Erickson and Michelena Erickson Howl; step-daughters, Maggie and Claire O’Connor; his mother, Ruth; three brothers, a sister, and their spouses: Gene and Jeanette Erickson, Mark and Debbie Erickson, Bruce and Betsy Erickson, and Joyce Erickson and Kenneth Brown, and his nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 3, 5:30 – 8:00 pm, Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, 75225, (214-363-5401). Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, January 4, 11:00 am, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 5709 Wedgwood Drive, Fort Worth, 76133, (817-292-1338). Rev. Dr. Terry Boggs, D. Min., Chaplain, Cook Children’s Medical Center, presiding. In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Dallas, 75215; the Memorial Fund, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church; the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas -- Craig Erickson Scholarship Fund, 400 North St. Paul Street, #510, Dallas, 75201;