Raymond J. Erickson age 94 of Brandon, SD, passed away Saturday November 3, 2018. Family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00 pm Wednesday November 7, at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon, SD. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 am Thursday at Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church 112 E. Annabelle St. in Brandon. In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to the church or the Marine Corp League # 659 of Sioux Falls.

Raymond Joseph Erickson, son of Alfred and Lydia (Johnson) Erickson, was born on February 25, 1924 in Grant County, ND. He moved with his family to a farm near Brandon, SD in 1936. He attended Sunnyside Country School and graduated from Garretson High School in 1941. Ray was baptized in the Cedar Creek in North Dakota, confirmed at Swedona Covenant Church, was an active member of the Beaver Valley Lutheran Church for 60 years, and finished his spiritual life as a member of the Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church.

Ray entered the United States Marine Corp on November 20, 1943 and was in the 2nd Marine Division. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and took part in the battle of Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945.

Ray was united in marriage to Phyllis Sorenson on September 6, 1947 in Garretson, SD. He then began working at John Morrell for a short time and then moved to the family farm near Valley Springs where he farmed for over 60 years. He was also the rural mail carrier out of Valley Springs for several years. Ray belonged to the American Legion in Valley Springs, the VFW, and the U.S. Marine Corp Detachment #659 in Sioux Falls, SD.

Ray's lifelong interest was his love for Minneapolis Moline machinery. He belonged to the Prairie Gold Rush, the Minneapolis Moline Collectors, the Siouxland Collectors, and the Brandon Valley Village Vintage Power Tractor Club. He spent many years going to tractor shows and participating in tractor pulls and parades and was proud to have won both trophies and lifelong friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of over 71 years, Phyllis; his children, Mark (Lynne) Erickson, Nancy (Kevin) Kohler, and Mike (Deb) Erickson; his grandchildren, Megan (Jon) Nathan, Cody (Abbey), Seth (Fawnie), Abby, Danny (Jamie), Kaci (Scott), Kelli (Joel) and Keri; his great-grandchildren, Jacob, Annastyn, Keller, Elise, Adeline, Lainey, Preston, Addison, Piper and Nora; as well as several nieces, nephews and in-laws. The fact that their names are not all listed merely reflects a lack of space, never a lack of love.

His parents, sisters Agnes and Geneva, brothers, Kenneth, Kermit and Randy, as well as his great granddaughter, Kinsley preceded him in death.

Ray's memory will remain warm in our hearts and will comfort our sorrow. He is not apart from us, but a part of us.