David Elias Erickson Jr.

David Elias Erickson, Jr. was born at the old Seton Hospital on July 1, 1943 to David Elias Erickson and Ella Margaret Kylberg, both children of Swedish immigrants. He left this earth on June 15, 2023 after a two-month battle with AML. David grew up on farms in Elroy and New Sweden and attended the two-room Manda School. After moving to Austin, he attended Baker Elementary and McCallum High.

When David was 15 years old, his father died, so he went to work at 2-J’s Hamburgers to help support the family. He met Colonel Sanders when 2-J’s became the first restaurant in Austin to sell KFC. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1965 with an accounting degree.

On October 23, 1965, David had a blind date with a beautiful UT co-ed, Susan Carpenter, of Farmersville. While UT won its football game that night, David won the heart of an amazing woman who would be the love of his life. They were married for 56 years, reared three children, enjoyed their five grandchildren, and cultivated many life-long friends.

After several years with a big eight accounting firm, David joined a local firm that eventually became Erickson Demel & Co. which he led with Robin Demel for 45 years. David loved his work where friends became clients and clients became friends.

David was a devoted community volunteer, serving in roles at St. Martin’s Lutheran, Covenant Presbyterian, Austin Parks Foundation, Marnie Paul Arts Center, Helping Hand Home, Samaritan Counseling Center, Austin Conference of Churches, and North Austin Rotary. He was a founder of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce - Austin. He was currently serving as Commissioner for Travis County ESD13, president of Friends of Manda School, director at TPFM Insurance, and treasurer for the Swedish Vasa Order.

For 25 years he played racquetball three mornings a week with Roy Rushing, a college friend. He bled burnt orange and loved attending UT events. He was a proud member of the Barnestormers, who traveled to the Big 12 Tournament every March. He explored the Lewis & Clark route and fished in Colorado and Canada with friends.

David was known for his smile, kindness, sense of humor, eternal optimism, honesty, selflessness, and curiosity. He loved to travel, visiting five continents and 39 countries, including visits to see his many cousins in Sweden. David enjoyed renovating the 140 year-old family farmhouse in New Sweden, and swimming and boating on Lake Austin. He was a loving father and grandfather who actively followed his grandchildren’s many activities and adventures, inspired endless laughter, and always shared his homemade ice cream.

David is survived by his loving wife, Susan, whom he treasured above all else, and children Stephen Elias Erickson (Suzanne), David Christian Erickson (Amy); Emily Anne Erickson (Cameron Molberg), and grandchildren, John, David, and Eli, and Natalie and Ella, all of Austin. He is also survived by his sister, Virginia Erickson Henry, sister-in-law, Cindy Carpenter Cowhig (Denis), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial service: Gethsemane Lutheran Church, June 30th, 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Manda School, PO Box 50385, Austin, Texas 78763, MandaSchool.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Erickson family.