John Edwin Erickson, formerly of Poulsbo, died July 16 in Lee’s Summit, Mo. He was 61.

He was born in Preston, Minn., on Dec. 25, 1951 to Donald and Helen Kimball Erickson. He graduated from Mabel-Canton High School and attended college in Winona, Minn.

John married Cheryl Larson and served in the U.S. Air Force as a maintenance NCO on C-130s. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Winona State University, then entered the U.S. Navy as a maintenance officer.

He served aboard the USS Coral Sea, receiving the Navy Achievement Medal; and aboard the USS Nimitz, retiring as a lieutenant in 1994 in Poulsbo.

John divorced and returned to Mabel to assist with his mother’s care. In 1997, he and Mary Garrett married and they made their home in Lee’s Summit for the past 16 years. He was a talented craftsman.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Jonathan Erickson and Lindsey Erickson of Poulsbo, and Kristopher (Queen) Erickson of Bellingham; stepsons, Josh Bruce of Lee’s Summit and Robbie (Jennifer) Patterson of Lenexa, Kan; grandchildren, Madelyn and Garrett Patterson; siblings, Mary Jo (Mike) Brewster of Lee’s Summit, Bob (Darcy) Erickson of Mabel, and Kathy (Mike) Brandt of Peshtigo, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Mike and Stevie Erickson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shea Lutheran Church at a later date in Mabel. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the National Kidney Foundation in John’s name.

— Family of John Edwin Erickson