The world changed forever on July 17, 2018 when Tim Erickson, seventh of ten kids and father of three beautiful children, ended his long battle with alcoholism and depression. Tim leaves a void in our lives that only he could have carved with his side-splitting humor, tender heart and desire to be close to those he would meet on his life journey.

Tim was born in August 23, 1971, a California kid living in sunny Saratoga with his six older siblings, and welcomed a younger sister, Anna, before his parents, Ken and Toni, decided to pull up roots and settle in Enumclaw, Washington in 1976. At the time, the Bank of Enumclaw sign in town read population 4990, so the ten Ericksons would make it an even 5,000. Little did the town know what a special new member they had in Tim. After settling in, his younger sister, Kari, and adopted brother, John, would complete the Erickson clan with five boys and five girls. While Tim was number 7 in line, his presence, humor and natural talent for almost anything he set out to do, sent his stock soaring and he started having an impact on all those around him. He became the one to be around and this legacy would be cemented when the Erickson house won “Best Hangout” for his graduating class as forever etched in the 1989 Enumclaw High School yearbook.

A multi-sport letterman at Enumclaw High, Tim was especially strong, fast and graceful on the soccer field and would go on to play for Skagit Valley College, where he was recognized as one of the top players in the league. A major injury would sideline Tim from playing in the big championship game and change his trajectory with soccer and school, which he replaced with an entrepreneurial drive as he sought to forge his own path and build his own businesses. From manufacturing jewelry to home building services, Tim was gifted and could do pretty much every job that was needed. His creativity knew no bounds as he solved problems and came up with better ways of doing things. That creativity carried forward in his musical talent as he would play guitar for whomever was around and it was always good, with his beautiful soft voice, and always fun, as he would change the lyrics to well-known songs and leave those with him doubled over. However, as Tim’s life journey unfolded, the unfair and cruel disease of alcoholism would begin to play a major role in his life and the lives of those close to him.

Tim’s greatest accomplishment would come in the form of the three children he and his former wife, Mandy Torbett Erickson, would bring into the world together: Carter (14), Allison (10) and Alexis (8). He was quick to share that he loved his kids more than anything. Tim’s spirit lives on as his children are whip-smart, musically-talented, and athletic; and they love being silly, just like their dad.

The pain that Tim’s absence leaves for all those who loved him feels unbearable and puts into perspective just how much pain he must have been in. Tim died of a terrible disease that he tried to beat. He fought a courageous battle and today we honor Tim for giving it his best and thank him for the laughs and love along the way.

He is survived by his father, Ken Sr., nine siblings (Jane, Ken Jr., Kristy, Jeff, Pete, Peggy, Anna, Kari and John), his children, Carter, Allison and Alexis, his former wife Mandy and countless cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother Jane Antoinette “Toni” Erickson.

Please join our family on Thursday, August 9, as we gather to celebrate Tim’s life. We will meet at 1pm and the service will begin at 2pm. ­The event will be catered. Location: Seattle Drum School: Georgetown Campus. 1010 S. Bailey Street. Seattle, WA, 98108.

Donations can be made to this GofundMe page, which was setup for Tim’s children as they face a life without their father.