Thurston Erickson
January 23, 1971- March 28, 2015
We lost a gentle soul, loved by all who knew him. Thurston Christopher Erickson, 44, died tragically in a motor vehicle accident. He was a kind, sweet, giving man, steady and unselfish, who valued family, friendship and the simpler joys of life.
Thurston, affectionately known as Trout, was the loving and cherished son of Deborah Bixler; the supportive and beloved brother of Hiedi Erickson and Katherine (Erik) Deck; the gentle uncle of Chaz Orozco, Emily Rose and Audrey Deck; the treasured grandson of Lynn Smith; the deeply-loved stepson of Cliff (Lise) Bixler; the nephew and cousin of the many members of a large, affectionate extended family. He was predeceased by his father Timothy Erickson, his grandfather Ray Smith and his step-grandmother Janice Smith.
As a child he was sentimental, loyal, impish, and a constant joy to his family. He was a Santa Cruz native who loved sports, nature, surfing, snowboarding, fishing and shooting. He grew up to be a skilled carpenter, the heart of every crew. He led by example through hard work and excellent craftsmanship, most of that time for his grateful step-father. His quiet demeanor was balanced by a boisterous sense of humor and a jokester streak. He never outgrew his childhood passion for fireworks. He loved the art of pyrotechnics, and took pleasure in dazzling us with his explosive creations.
He excelled at friendship, giving to everyone just what they needed, including a nickname, delivered with humor and compassion. Many of his friends say "he was my best friend". His enigmatic smile belied wisdom beyond his years. He taught us acceptance; he taught us patience; he taught us honesty.
We are proud of Thurston. He gave back to the community by mentoring others, at work and in life, giving steadfast emotional support and encouragement. His caring and compassionate attitude and example fostered inward strength in others.
We wish there would have been many more years to share with Thurston and watch his life unfold. Time won't heal our loss, but neither will it lessen our bond of love for this truly good man. For now, we try to fill the void with memories and stories. A celebration of life was held on the April 18th 2015:
Details
Tributes
Please share a memory or tribute. The best way to do this is to email his mother Deborah. Tributes are shared only with family and friends.
When it came time for one of the most challenging parts of the project - installing the hand peeled logs for the structure of the stairway - Thurston wanted to do this himself. There was all sorts of custom cutting and weird angles he had to deal with, and he said it was the funnest part of building our house... he didn't usually get such a unique challenge. Well, he sure put his perfection and expertise into it, and to this day, the logs are my favorite thing. He also came up with a beautiful bolt system for the logs which has reminded me of him many times over the years.
This quote I read reminds me of Thurston:
"Sometimes the ones who work the hardest, give the most, are the quietest about what they've done. That's called honor. They inspire the rest of us."
Thurston will be forever memorialized in my beautiful home... and I will forever appreciate him for it.
He always had such fondness for his family and always expressed what love he had for them. Like his father said, it took him a little time to trust and get to know you but, once he did you realized what a wonderful man he was. He worked on several projects for me but, mainly a large remodel of my home. The contractor that I had hired couldn't start right away and my painter recommended Thurston. The best recommendation I have ever received. I seem to have the reputation of being "too picky".
In the 4 years that we worked together, there was never one single time that we had a cross word! Truly amazing!! He made my project so much fun. When I went to pick out my cabinets, the man asked me what I thought of Thurston. Well did he get glowing compliments from me for at least 10 minutes. The man smiled and said "that is what everyone says about Thurston."
The contractor that I was going to use brought his wife over to see the cottage that Thurston built from just a photo. He said I wanted to show my wife because you just can't find workmanship like this anymore. My cottage will now have a name. "Thurston Cottage".
During the years that Thurston was working on my properties, I noticed that there was a little pattern in his personality. When it was about 6 weeks from the 4th of July he would get very giddy and happy every year. He told me that he just loved to make fireworks. I never knew about his nickname "Trout". I had given him another nickname "Mr. Boom Boom". One day he called and told me "Gail, I just have to tell you this story because it is so funny". He said "I don't use my computer that often but, today when I tried to get on I forgot my password. He looked up his hint and it was "Gail". He said I just couldn't figure out what Gail
meant. All of a sudden he said "I started laughing so hard because I remembered my password. It was Mr. Boom Boom. So for me he will always be Mr. Boom Boom.. An incredibly talented, honest, hardworking, big wonderful teddy bear of a man who loved to make fireworks! Much love to you up in heaven!!! You will be soooo missed but, never forgotten.
although it has been many, many years since we have seen each other the news of Thurston's death was devastating. I remember running around together up in the woods when we were just little children. Please know my prayers and love are with all of you. Rest in Peace
I am so very sorry for your loss. I just have no words. Pleas know I'm thinking of you.
Big hugs to you.
I loved Thurston and Hiedi, read to them and tucked then in every night. A favorite book of theirs was “Wind in the Willows” which my mother gave them. Thurston, was everything I ever wanted in a son. Beautiful boy, strong man with a wonderful sense of humor, huge heart, and loyal to those he loved.
After he graduated from High School he worked with me in construction for most of the rest of his life. I am lucky and grateful that we spent so much time together.
I still remember the first time I put a nail gun in his hand. He was nine. He squeezed the trigger and was it like a charge had gone off. Next thing I knew he was holding back the safety and zinging nails across the yard. Pure Thurston. A sign of things to come.
I would always tell him: life is work and people are work. He got the part about life being work. He excelled at his craft, setting a high bar for the crew with his work ethic and quality standards.
He got the part about people being work too. He learned to lead at work and in life. He was sensitive to life’s pain and would take his time letting you in, keeping an even keel with his expectations in check, so he did not get hurt or disappointed. He was compassionate and did not judge others. He became wise beyond his years, but it was a hard earned wisdom, paid for with love and painful experience. It only endeared him to me all the more.
I was raised by agnostic Unitarians, but when I am lying awake late at night, thinking about you Thurston, I want to say to you, I want to promise you, I will see you on the other side son. Even if it turns out that the other side is only in my dreams.
Love
Carrie
Mike Dufek
They say " jails, institutions and death.. " that's what addiction gets you, and now after so many years of continuous sobriety he is home, and maybe his death will continue to impact those of us who walk this walk of sobriety, to stay clean and sober one more day....Thanks for the memories Trout, until we meet again...♡♡♡
often at loggerheads and frustrated with one another,
his stubbornness only surpassed by my own..
22 years his senior and yet he has taught me so much.
I carry a little of Thurston in my heart.
May his wisdom live on in all of us.
I was so very pleased that he had recently rejoined my construction crew full time. He brought a great energy and a great game to our team, and a positive spirit. His artistic design suggestions and finish work were the icing on the cake. I will sorely miss him.
In sorrow I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family.
Paul Lawton
Love,
Steve & Jan Bixler
Corkie
-Antonio Morici
your sister, Hiedi
Jeremiah, Valerie, Devin & Ethan Carr