David Randolph Erickson

 David Randolph Erickson - David, E, Papa David - passed away suddenly on October 21, 2024. He was born on March 23, 1957, to Randolph Alfred and Berniece Moore Erickson in Pensacola Florida.

 David’s love for life and all its opportunities was special. He excelled in sports from an early age. In high school, he played baseball and football - as a pitcher on the 1974 Escambia High State Champions team, and as quarterback for the football team. He played both sports alongside his lifelong friend Keith Swilley. David was drafted by the Cleveland Indians but chose to compete in college at Louisiana Tech University where he made some of his closest friends. Even during his career at Gulf Power he continued making friends playing softball and golf. Many years later he became the world’s best cheerleader and spectator for his daughter Izabella as she played volleyball. 

 When not out on the golf course or on the boat, David loved to travel - especially going to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Ted Nugent and with Dan Weir chasing Dwight Yoakum. Even while grilling on the deck David would blast his favorite tunes for the neighbors. We will remember you always when we hear your favorite “Freebird”. 

 David truly loved his many close friends, and spent hours each day checking in with each of them. His friends were his whole world, after the joy of his life Izabella, of course. 

His wild hair and special sayings will be missed the most! Greeting the Albritton clan with “Hello Baaabyyy” and hearing even the babies give it right back will always make us smile. Listening in as he and Chuck Bailey or Dan Weir solved the world’s political woes was especially amusing. Listening to advice from Tim Anthony over lunch, golfing with Tom Dorsey and the Tiger Point guys - and waiting to hear the latest deals from Hugh Fones were highlights of his days. And we know whenever he hears his buddy Jim Kubik say “Looking good, Billy Ray!” David will be quick to reply “Feeling good, Louis!” David had so many special friends it’s impossible to list, and he was always glad to 

 We love you David, and know that you are soaring free as a bird above, missing us as much as we miss you. 

 David is survived by his younger brother Ricky Erickson, his cousins; his wife Lynn Morris Erickson; his daughter Izabella Erickson; stepdaughter Kristen Sappington, her husband Kenny and their children Allie, Kade and Tori; stepson Jonathan Fish, his wife Alina and their children Leo, Naomi and Beatrix; his in-laws Barbara Morris, Bonnie Morris, Ann and Mark Morris-Webb and their boys Zak and Asa. 

Waiting for David at the Door to Heaven are his first wife Helene, his parents Randy and Berniece and stepmother Dorothy. 

 As David wished, family and close friends will have a private celebration of his life, and we encourage all who knew David go out and celebrate your life with those you hold dear. 

 If you feel moved to memorialize David, please contribute to your local church or in his name to the works of Bruce and Deb Robinson in Haiti that he supported: 

ODRINO USA, c/o Malissa Jett, 10910 Big Canoe, Jasper, GA 30143 (mention La Baie Church in honor of David).