Idaho Falls community and civic leader dies, remembered as passionate, upbeat and positive man
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Mel Erickson passed away at the age of 95 Dec. 17. | Courtesy photo
IDAHO FALLS – Friends and family are celebrating the life of a community and civic leader who died last week.
Mel Erickson passed away Thursday, Dec. 17 at his Idaho Falls home at the age of 95. His official cause of death was not released, but his obituary indicates he was under the care of Encompass Hospice.
Erickson had a long career in sales and served on the city council for 32 years. Mayor Rebecca Casper tells EastIdahoNews.com Erickson was “tireless in his enthusiasm for the wellbeing of the community” and many elected officials have benefitted from his advice and mentoring over the years.
Melvin Leroy Erickson, 95, of Idaho Falls, passed away December 17, 2020, at his home. He was under the care of Encompass Hospice. Mel was born July 24, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Henry Leroy Erickson and Erma Sophia Anderson Erickson. He grew up and attended schools in Salt Lake City and graduated from Granite High School. He also attended the University of Utah. Mel served in the United States Navy during World War II. On February 6, 1948, he married Carolyn Janice Lewis in the Salt Lake Temple. Mel and Cal made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Mel worked in sales earning many awards for his salesmanship. He worked for Pacific Finance Inc, J.Ed Browning, Hart Pontiac Cadillac, KTEE radio station, and Harris Publishing, Inc. Mel was a civic and community leader and served on the Idaho Falls City Council for 32 years. In his honor, Mel Erickson Sunnyside Park is named after him for his many years of service to the city. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of L