Roger Wayne Erickson

Roger Wayne Erickson, 70, of Richmond, Texas, passed away on March 03, 2023. Roger was born on September 25, 1952, to Stanley Theodore Erickson and Dorothy May (Lister) Erickson in one of the world's most difficult environments, Gulkana, Alaska. Roger graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School, where he lettered in wrestling.

After graduation, Roger worked as a telephone operator, where he met his future wife, Deborah. They married on May 26, 1972, in Juneau, Alaska. Soon after, an avalanche had his pregnant bride fleeing the snow.

Upon moving to Houston, Texas, in a little subdivision called Oak Forest, Roger helped raise two children, daughter, Cassandra, also called Peggy, and son Joel. Roger worked a few odd jobs until he started a lifelong career with Fluor Ocean Services in 1973. His first position was in the print room. Roger worked hard to improve his position by attending night school while working full time and eventually earning his degree of Associate in Applied Science in Piping Design Technology on August 14, 1982.

Roger did many things with his family through the years, from being a male girl scout to playing catch with his daughter, helping his wife with a "little girl scout event" called S.T.R.I.D.E.R.S. to directing parking at camp, among other things. In some circles he was known by his camper's name, Jolly Roger. He volunteered for many things that eventually led to Roger, during his 10th year of volunteering as a Scout, receiving a National Appreciation Girl Scout Award. The following year in 1991, the Erickson family was presented with an Outstanding Family Award. Roger and his son connected over computers and computer gaming. Starting in 1994, every October for about 20 years, Roger's home became a haunted house for the neighborhood children to have a safe place to trick or treat. Right around the same time, Roger and Debbie hosted a Christmas Eve gathering as well. After losing his wife around Christmas in 2011, Roger decided to move closer to his work and relocated to Richmond, Texas.

Roger spent most of his career with Fluor, over forty years where he made many friends. Roger retired in January of 2020, where he had worked his way up through continuing his education with courses at the University of Houston and well as certifications through Fluor to the title of Design Specialist. Roger's life was full of hard work, family, friends, and thankfully not as much snow or cold as in Alaska.

Roger was preceded in death by his father Stan, his mother Dot, his brother Dennis, and his wife of 39 years Debbie.

Roger is survived by his children, Cassandra (Peggy) James and husband Randy, and Joel Erickson; grandchildren, Justin Erickson and wife Breanna, Sterling Erickson, Mary (Annie) Erickson, Catrina (Cat) Flores and husband Justin, Ryan James and Giovanni Gregorek; great grandchildren, Nova O'Quinn, Lilith Erickson, Kimberly Flores, Anthony Jackson, Jediah Flores, Elijah and Isaiah Jackson. As well as many brothers and sisters in laws, nieces, and nephews.

Roger's Celebration of Life will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home Grand Chapel, 6900 Lawndale St. Houston, TX 77023, on Friday, March 31st, from 7-9 pm. Please share your stories about Roger.