Leland Erickson Obituary (1941 - 2021)

Leland Fred Erickson was born on November 20, 1941 in Fillmore, Utah to Leonard William and Mima Day Erickson. He passed away March 3, 2021 in Beaver, Utah with his wife by his side, after a great day of visits from his children, granddaughters, brothers, sister-in-laws and several nephews. Fred grew up in Beaver, Utah where he enjoyed the hunting and fishing opportunities in the area. He was an avid fisherman, never coming home skunked. He could out fish anyone and could catch a fish in any body of water (even when everyone around him could not). His brother Keith said he could catch a fish out of a mud puddle. He especially loved and enjoyed taking his mom fishing. Fred attended Belknap Elementary and Beaver High School, graduating in 1961. As a young boy, he learned good work ethics and the reward (a nice paycheck) of hard work. He delivered newspapers (Deseret News) around town with his brother Milo. Fred delivered on the east side of town and Milo on the west side. One day, he was riding his bike down a hill and his front wheel came off. He went down that hill, end over end, then got back up and continued delivering papers on foot to none other than the inventor of the television Philo T. Farnsworth. He also worked at Lunds Market on Main Street. Fred joined the United States Army and served honorably, stationed in Germany. Fred was a roofing contractor by trade, working all over the country, even Mississippi. Many businesses and homes reaped of his good work here in Beaver. He did roofing before the day of rolled out tar paper, automatic nail guns, forklifts to lift the shingles onto the roofs and truth be told he was faster than the modern nail gun. He would pack the bundles over his shoulder and up the ladders, using a claw hammer and nails. He would also heat and melt tar (it had to get really hot) and pack buckets of it up the ladder to the roof and spread it out. Fred married Sharon Green in Draper, Utah. They had 2 children; a son, Mike and a daughter, LeeAnn. They later divorced. After a few tries at finding love again, he met and married his sweetheart, Denise Donohue, in Pioche, Nevada. They were later sealed in the Manti, Utah Temple. Fred had a big heart and would help anyone, anywhere, especially his family. If you were stranded, broke down or stuck in the mud or snowbank, he’d be right there. He earned the family saying “Everyone needs an Uncle Fred”. After the passing of his father, he and Denise moved out of their home and in with his mother and unselfishly cared for her until her passing. Fred is survived by his wife, Denise of Beaver, Utah; son, Mike of Cheney, Washington; daughter, LeeAnn (Larry) Atkin of Mesquite, Nevada; son, Sebron (DeeDee) Erickson of Purvis, Mississippi; 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; brothers, Milo (JoAnn) Erickson of Beaver, Utah, Keith (Beverlee) Erickson of Milford, Utah and Eddie (Karen) Erickson of Beaver, Utah. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held on March 12, 2021 at Mountain View Cemetery (Beaver, UT) under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Leland Fred Erickson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.