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Obituary for Charles Weldon Erickson

Charles Weldon Erickson
Charles "Charlie" Erickson passed away suddenly on Memorial Day May 30, 2016. Born in OKC he was the son of Lambert L Erickson and Mae Ella Word Erickson. He graduated from Capitol Hill High School and immediately joined the Army Air Corps training to be a flight engineer and top turret gunner in a B 17. After training he was stationed in Italy flying missions over Germany where his plane was shot down. He was the lone survivor of his plane and was a POW for a year. Charlie received the Purple Heart after being liberated as a POW and made his return to Oklahoma City. Upon his return he went to work at Tinker AFB, married his sweetheart Lavada Wood and settled into married life. Together they had 2 sons, Ridge Lee and Mark Alan. After retiring from Tinker he was instrumental in the success of the Metro Oklahoma City Florist Delivery Co-op retiring after 25 years of dedicated service. A devout catholic he was a long time member of St. James the Greater Catholic Church. He loved being a grandpa to Kristy, Jennifer and Amy and a great grandpa to Parker, Morgan and Cole. He was preceded by his parents, his wife Lavada, sister, Vilois VanSickle and eldest son Ridge, and longtime companion, Jean Wallenberg. He is survived by his son Mark, daughter-in-law Nina, niece Mary Russell and family, nephews Ken, Dennis and Steve Wood and their families and cousin Jo Carter and family. Charlie held a special place in his heart for his longtime companions’ family; those include grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was especially proud that the latest edition to the Wallenberg family was named in his honor, Charlie Wallenberg. A wake prayer service will be held Thursday, June 2 7:00PM at the Vondel L Smith and Sons Mortuary 6934 S. Western Avenue, OKC. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 3 10:00AM at St. James Catholic Church 4117 S McKinley Avenue, OKC. Friends are encouraged to leave condolences on this page.

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Affiliations


Air Medal
American Campaign Medal
American Legion
European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Knights of Columbus
National Defense Service Medal
POW / MIA
Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster
Veterans of Foreign Wars
WWII Victory Medal

Life Story for Charles Weldon Erickson

"World War II bomber crew sole survivor remembers close calls"
By: David Zizzo
Published: February 15, 2010

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