Carl G. Erickson, Jr. of Corvallis, Montana passed away after several years of illness on Saturday, April 26, 2025 in his home with his wife by his side.
He was the son of the late Carl G. Erickson, Sr. and Gladys Mae (Norville). He was born on January 17, 1936 in Fort Peck, Montana. He grew up during the construction of the Fort Peck Dam; as a boy he learned his first trade as a welder and forger working with his dad at the dam. His free time was spending time with his friends around the coolies getting into “good trouble!” He left home at 14 to work on a farm and attend school at Glasgow High. He decided to join the Navy in 1954, where he was in the Sea Bees. Always looking for fun and some excitement, he was assigned to the Marshall Islands in “the middle of nowhere.” He reenlisted and was stationed in Japan.
After discharge he went to University of Oklahoma to pursue a degree in Geological Engineering and worked as a welder. He moved his family to Salinas, California where his parents were now living. He taught high school welding, then became a Millwright in the California local 217, working mostly on turbines in power plants. Later he became a business agent, then Director of Field Services, for the Bay Counties District Council of Carpenters. Upon retirement he wanted to return to Montana, settling in Corvallis.
Carl is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susan ”Suzie” (Boulay); his “brother” James Boulay (Kim); his children, Carey, Laura (Brad Carrott) and Paul; grandchildren, Anthony Christiansen (Alyssia) and Brooke (Tommy Vaughn); great grandson Luke Christiansen; cousin TJ Norville (Virginia), and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Alice May (Frank Burks) and Anna Irene (John Scrogin), along with several cousins, nephews and nieces.
His passions were horses, especially his endurance riding; building, whether it was barns or helping build our houses; metal work like making and welding a horseshoer’s rig complete with furnace and pull-out anvil. Carl especially loved to have fun and was always creating it, pulling a few good ones on Suzie. He also had a knack for telling the stories of his life or his family’s “eventful escapades,” it was always a good time and plenty of laughs. All his stories now rest with him.
A gathering will be held June 20th at 1:00 p.m. at the Daly Leach Community Room (Daly Leach Funeral Home), with Military Honors and a Blessing officiated by Deacon Jim Kaney to celebrate his life well lived. At a later date he will be interred at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton among his family.
In lieu of flowers he would prefer a memory that was with him whether spoken or remembered. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.