Pete's wishes were to be cremated. There are no public services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Peter (Pete) Spencer Erickson, age 84 of Butler, Missouri passed away December 17, 2017 surrounded by many of his beloved family members. He was born August 8, 1933 to William Harold and Virginia May Spencer Erickson in Washington, Kansas.
Pete was raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Wed his wife Phyllis in 1954, joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, Ft. Bragg, California and Munich Germany. He achieved First Sargeant. After the service he attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas majoring in Art and Art History. After graduating With a B.F.A. in fine arts, he accepted a position at Dodge City Community College where he served as head of the art department. He also worked at that time as a bartender at the Dodge City Boot Hill Saloon and museum. Pete moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri in 1968. There he taught art and painting for years in private classes associated with the University of UMKC. He taught art for the Belton, Missouri school district at Yeokum High school for approximately ten years. He then moved his family to Peculiar, Missouri in 1977 and worked at the Belton Walmart for approximately thirteen years -- eventually moving to Adrian, Missouri where he retired early to care for his ailing wife.
Pete Erickson was a well known personality in the area. Between working as an art instructor, his time at Walmart, and his general gregarious nature he built thousands of acquaintances. When one met Pete they truly were treated with a rare genuine caring and understanding, resulting in having friends everywhere. He was known and loved by many. He loved people and talking to them and helping if he could. He truly had the heart and soul of an artist. Art was his true passion -- painting, sculpture, drawings, and illustration. During his life he produced hundreds of works of art. Pete was an amazing talented man. He truly had a great appreciation for all things beautiful seen through the eyes of an artist and brought to and shared that appreciation to many others. He loved nature and the outdoors. His love for animals was almost to a fault...he was crazy about all feathered and furry creatures. As a son writing this, my father was a good gentleman. I never heard him disparage another person my whole life. I feel honored and blessed to have known him as a man with integrity, as a trusted friend, and as an amazing father who so loved his family. I know I share that sentiment with many others. He will be forever missed by many.
He is survived by six children, Peter Erickson II and wife Kara of Princeton, Minnesota, Raegan Erickson and wife Theresa of Butler, Missouri, Bradley Erickson of San Diego, California, Kimberly Erickson of Blue Springs, Missouri, Christopher Erickson and wife Lucinda of Adrian, Missouri and Stacey Wiss and husband Dennis of St. Peters, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Peter Erickson III and wife Amber of Jacksonville Florida, Dasha Erickson and partner Matt Wright of Gardner, Kansas, Justin Erickson and wife Nina of Butler, Missouri, Spencer Erickson and wife Josina of Liberty Missouri, Genevieve Burke and husband Shane of Butler, Missouri, Aubryanne Wilson and husband Michael of Harrisonville, Missouri, Alexander Erickson of Butler, Missouri, Jennifer Ellis and husband Mike of Blue Springs, Missouri, Austin Erickson of Adrian, Missouri, Savanah Blake and husband Drew of Bentonville, Arkansas, Cameron and Keegan Wiss of St. Peters, Missouri; fifteen great-grandchildren, Reed and Iella Erickson, Yarrah Erickson, Eli, Millie, and Eliot Burke, Mikey and Lindsey Wilson, Jada and James Hubbard, Langston Ellis, Houston and Dawson Erickson, Makinley Turner, and Camden Blake. He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Phillip Livingston of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; nephews and nieces, Charles Lindsey of Pennsylvania, Scott, Phillip, Joseph, and Charles Livingston all of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Steven Christensen of Gladstone, Missouri, Pat, John, Pam, Greg, and Lori Frossard all of Atlanta, Georgia. He was preceeded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis Jane; sisters, Mary (Gigi)Lindsey and Deborah Livingston; brother-in-laws, Dwayne Christopher Christensen, JB Frossard, and Charles Lindsey; sister-in-laws, Mary Frossard and Martha (Jean) Christensen; nephews, Charles Lindsey, Eric Livingston, and Nicholas Frossard; and grandaughter, Kara Erickson.
"Life is beautiful"
"Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes
I'll be on my way"
Peter, Paul, and Mary
