Charles F. Erickson went to be with our loving Lord July 4, 2013.
He was born in Man, W.Va., the son of Charlie O. and Ethel Erickson. Charles graduated from Greenbrier Military School and attended WVU before joining the military. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. He then joined his father, C. O. Erickson, in business. Together they built Durfees Cable Company into the largest cable operation in West Virginia Charles also built cable systems in Virginia., Kentucky, and Michigan.

Charles and his father both felt strongly about the importance of higher education to the future of W.Va. and to the country. After C.O.'s death in 1993, the Erickson Foundation was formed. Charles promised his father he would run the foundation focusing on providing a home on West Virginia colleges and university campuses for alumni to remain connected and involved with each institution. To date there are 13 Erickson alumni centers throughout West Virginia.

In May, 2011, Charles was inducted into the Order of Vandalia, WVU's highest honor, and in 2005 he was named Mountaineer of the Year. In May, 2013, he received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Concord University.

Charles leaves behind his loving wife, Laurie; two sons, Charles II (Lynn) of Washington, N.C. and Brandon of Boca Raton, Fla.; his grandson, Chase, who was the light of his life; two sisters, Donna Tulley of Savannah, Ga. and Myra Scott (Lee) of Chapel Hill, N.C.; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends who will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 11, at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg, WV.

Service will be 10 a.m., Friday, July 12, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend W. Douglas Hood from his church in Fla. and Reverend Michael Seely.

Burial will follow at Parkersburg Memorial Gardens with military rites by the American Legion Post #15.

The family requests donations be made to The Erickson Foundation 400 Market Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 or any college or university of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.

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