Leo Erickson

Leo J. Erickson

Leo Erickson, 95, Raytown, MO, passed away May 16, 2010. A memorial service will be held 2pm Thursday May 20^th at Raytown Christian Church, Raytown.Following the service the family will greet friends. He was born June 22, 1915 in Minneapolis, MN. Survivors include; daughters, Jacalyn Craig of Columbia, MO. and Joan Dechant & husband Marv of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Deric Craig & wife Margaret of Minneapolis, MN, Dana Craig- Petsinger & husband Mike of Kalamazo, MI, Brena Armbrust & husband Paul of Kansas City, MO, Bonnie Dechant & husband Shawn; great grandchildren, Alex & Peter Armbrust, Claire, Lillian & Craig Petsinger, David Torrez, Colin, Anna & Olivia Craig . He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian, parents OA Leo & Hildur Erickson. Mr. Erickson graduated from North High School in Minneapolis in 1933 & the University of Minnesota in 1937 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for the civilian Conservation Core thwe summer of 1934. During WWII, he designed and help build ammunition plants. He married Lillian Richards of East St. Louis in August of 1939. He moved to Kansas City in 1942 and to Raytown in 1944. He was a 33^rd degree Mason of the Pinkneville Lodge and a member of the Arart Shrine Temple. Mr. Erickson worked for Corn Products Refining Co. from 1945 to 1970.The following is from a 1952 article in Corn Products Magazine, Yours Truly “ L.J. Erickson– Man of Many Interests” There are some people who are handicapped by a disability. And there are others who live life almost as if nothing had happened. L.J. Erickson, associate engineer in the North Kansas City plant’s engineering department, fall into the second group. Eric– as he is known to fellow workers– had polio in 1946 and recovered from the disease with weak back and right leg. You’d never guess it, for this Missourian is one of the busiest and most diversified persons to come to the attention of YOURS TRULY. Even before he had returned to work in 1947, he had started a model railroad– to delight of his children, Jacalyn, and Joan. But the two youngsters are used tom seeing their Dad busy at some usual occupation. He’s a photography fan, does his own developing and enlarging, and even built an electronic timer for his darkroom. When not in the darkroom he may be in his work shop. He surprised his wife by making a folding lawn chair that would look well in any living room. And the kids were delighted when their Dad created outdoor swings and slides. Eric has real inventive genius. In the two years he built an enter-communication system and rebuilt a public address system for the North Kansas City plant. In his spare time, Eric raises dahlias and hunts and fishes. Oh yes–he is also director of operations for the civil defense program in the Raytown area. He loved to sing and sang with both the Heart of America & the Overland Park Barbershop Chorus and in several Quartets. Other life pursuits of Mr. Erickson included: woodworking, Ham Radio, traveling in all 50 states & internationally, a Girl Scout dad, working for the Independence Girl Scout Council, growing African Violets & Orchids, HO&N gage model trains, bookkeeping, fishing, canoeing & camping, Jig saw puzzles’ volunteering at St Joseph Hospital, photography, church group sponser and being there for his children, grandchildren & families. Memorial contributions can be made to Wolfner Library Trust Fund, PO Box 387, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133.(arr. Heartland Cremation & Burial Society 816-313-1677)