Donald Roy Erickson

Donald Roy “Don” Erickson, 82, of Naples, FL, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

Don was born on March 21,1943 in Doylestown, PA, to the late Roy H. and Grace W. Erickson.  He grew up in Harrisonburg, VA where his father served as mayor for five terms. He graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1961 and earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. While at Virginia Tech, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the prestigious Highty-Tighties Marching Band as well as a founder and president of Tau Sigma Chi fraternity. He met the love of his life, Donna Sullivan, on a blind date in 1963 at nearby Radford College. He went on to earn his MBA from James Madison University. He was a member of the Harrisonburg Jaycees, the Elks Club, and an avid square dancer. 

Don worked for a decade for his family’s large animal health supply company where he grew the business to encompass five states with numerous sales employees. During these years, Don combined his love for flying with business practices by piloting the company’s airplane to deliver supplies and oversee interstate sales branches. Later in his career, Don was a restaurateur and entrepreneur, business school instructor, real estate developer and builder, accountant, and, in the years before his retirement, co-founder and CFO of a tech company that built computer guidance systems for military fleets. In 1984, Don moved his family from Harrisonburg to Fairfax, VA and, after retirement, relocated to Carmel, IN to be near the grandchildren.

Don grew up riding horses through the countryside and spent as much time as possible outdoors in nature, quietly observing wild animals and energetically playing with domestic ones. He was fond of hiking in the mountains of Shenandoah National Park as well as many other national parks throughout the United States and abroad, taking photos of scenery as he went. He enjoyed cycling, canoeing, camping, and swimming with family at lakes, rivers, and beaches. He married his college sweetheart, Donna, in 1965, and their happy union lasted 60 years. Together, the couple raised two children and were blessed with four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Don and Donna traveled to nearly all 50 states and several foreign countries.

At 6’4”, Don was known for his height as well as his enthusiastic and friendly personality, never knowing a stranger, joking and always encouraging others. He was also known for his great love of food—particularly buffets—though he somehow retained a lifelong trim figure. In 2020, Don and Donna became “snowbirds” in Naples, FL, where they purchased a second home and became very involved in events and activities in their neighborhood.

In the mid-1970s, Don became a born-again Christian and was soon filled with the Holy Spirit. He remained very active in church throughout his life, serving in many roles such as altar worker, deacon, home group leader, head greeter, usher, and Sunday School teacher. His faith in God was very strong and he evangelized and shared the love of Christ to everyone, even in the last days of his life.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Donna; children, John W. (Maria) Erickson of Middleburg, VA, and Lori Erickson (Keith II) Trump of Carmel, IN; grandchildren, Keith (Jennifer) Trump III of Mariposa, CA, Veronica (Dean) Hasler of Aadorf, Switzerland, Matthias Trump and Josiah Trump of Carmel, IN; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas (Barbara) Erickson, of Clemmons, NC, John (Rebecca Bahn) Erickson, of Concord, NC; sister, Cyndy (Clement) Morlock, of Johnson City, TN; four nieces; four nephews; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Roy H. Erickson and his mother, Grace Whitney Erickson.

Don lived his life to the fullest and will be terribly missed by so many who loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 2 pm in Destiny Church Naples, 10610 Immokalee Rd, Naples, FL 34120.

 A second Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 2pm in Living Truth Church, 530 W. Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avow Hospice Care of Naples, FL, The Gideons International, or the National Park Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted to Bussell Family Funerals.

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