John A. Ericsson

John Arvid Ericsson passed away on May 3, 2023 surrounded by kindness and in peace after a brief battle with cancer in Knoxville, TN. John was born on February 6, 1946 in Buffalo, New York as the only child of Gus and Helen Ericsson.

After high school, John left his beloved family home in Springville, NY for service in the Coast Guard with an assignment in Alaska.  Following his service, he came to Southern California where he pursued a lifelong career inelectrical engineering. John and his second wife Andrea lived comfortably in the San Fernando Valley for many years and selflessly opened their home to young family members trying to start life in the Los Angeles area.  He was amused when gifted a front porch doormat that read “ Doorway to the Future ” and displayed that mat with affection for years. Upon retirement, he moved to Knoxville where he resided for 5 years before his passing.

John was an avid gardener, passionate libertarian, loved to listen to jazz music and rescued numerous cats over the years. He was proud of his Swedish heritage and was the keeper of many family stories. His greatest accomplishment in life was the hard work he put into his 20+ years of sobriety and supporting others as a sober living advocate. He lived life on his own terms and with a sarcastic sense of humor. John was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his loving cousins, ex-wife Andrea, brother-iin-law Tony (Terry) Hunt, and brother-in-law Phillip (Patty) Hunt. He is also survived by his Knoxvllle Walmart co-workers, including his Earth angel Dawn Corbitt – who selflessly assured his final days were filled with dignity, graceand respect. John’s will be laid to rest in a cremation grave near his mother Helen at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, NY.  If you wish to remember John, please make a contribution to your favorite cat rescue or sobriety services charity.