Obituary of Jeffrey Charles Erickson

Jeffrey C. Erickson (43) of Coralville, IA passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the University of Iowa Hospital after a sudden illness. He takes with him his enviable spark of life and a steadfast gravity that changed countless lives for the better. Born to Steve and Ann on February 22, 1979 in LaGrange, IL, Jeff’s formative years in Naperville, IL were dominated by Boy Scouts, youth group, football, baseball, and soccer. Those passions endured; he shared his love of camping, fishing, and flashlight tag with his son and countless neighborhood kids, and coached baseball at Winfield-Mt. Union Junior High, as well as football and baseball for Jack’s teams. As a testament to his stubborn loyalty, he was an unwavering lifelong Cubs and Bears fan. He leaves behind an impressive vegetable garden, a tasteful backyard golf course, the hammock where he often slept in his birthday suit, and everything from wine-bottle glasses and birdhouses to his and Ashley’s hand-forged wedding rings. For many years, Jeff rolled up his sleeves to reveal his mightily tattooed forearms behind the bars at Joe’s Place, Donnelly’s, and Vesta, where his integrity, ready smile, penchant for fun, and easy adaptability earned the respect and friendship of patrons and coworkers alike. Always the first to help out, he led epic gatherings that bonded his staff and turned them into a family. Beneath his gruff Viking exterior, everyone knew that he was silly, generous, and fiercely compassionate. Jeff’s strength, empathy, and deep curiosity merged with his love of history at the University of Iowa where he earned degrees in education and history. He then channeled his passions for truth, knowledge, and critical thinking into teaching social studies in the West Burlington and Highland school districts. In 2018 Jeff married Ashley Stickney, his great love, and became a father to Jack, uniting all of his strengths and passions. He excelled as a husband and a father and will be missed beyond measure. Jeff is survived by his adoring wife, Ashley (Stickney); loving son, John Robert (Jack) Strobel; loyal hound, Bugs; his devoted mother, Ann (Bob) Flesvig and father, Steve Erickson; brother, Keith (Amber Johnson); stepsister, Emily (Metters) Alden (m. Josh Alden); uncle, Garry Meeks; uncle, Bill Erickson; cousins, Reid and Brek Erickson; as well as his in-laws, Lynda (Miller) Taube; Jim and Jane (Prater) Stickney; Dan and Jennifer (Stickney) Johnson; Peter and Tanner (Stickney) Colegrove; stepsister, Kaitlin (Prater) Wilcox (m. Kyle Wilcox); nieces and nephews Emma, Ben, and Ellie Johnson; Will and Charlie Colegrove; Lawrence, Thomas, and James Wilcox; many friends, and all his esteemed students.We commit to our memory his rugged kindness and playful nature, his radiant smile, and the unmatched strength of his love. We welcome you to share in a celebration of Jeff’s life from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, October 17 at the Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 579 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City, IA 52240. In Jeff fashion, at 5:30 p.m. friends and family will be invited to share campfire stories and remembrances. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Jeff’s passions with a check to the Jeff Erickson Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 5718, Coralville, IA 52241, or Venmo @Ashley_Erickson_125 with Jeff Erickson Memorial Fund in the description.