Obituary for James Neil Erickson
James Neil Erickson (Jim) passed away on March 10th in his hometown of Aberdeen after recently celebrating his 92nd birthday. Jim was born on March 5, 1929 in Aberdeen, Washington, to Carl V. Erickson and Ethel Swanson Erickson. Jim grew up in Aberdeen and attended J.M. Weatherwax (Aberdeen) High School where he graduated in 1947 after serving as Senior Class President.
Jim went on to Grays Harbor College and then transferred to University of Washington in 1950 where he earned a degree in Business Administration. While working on his education Jim completed his military service with the Washington National Guard.
After graduation, Jim returned to Aberdeen and joined his father and his brother Bob (Carl R.) in the family business, then known as West Coast Produce Co., founded in 1923 by Jim’s father Carl. Shortly thereafter (1954), West Coast Produce changed its official name to Harbor Wholesale Grocery Inc., later becoming Harbor Foods Group Inc. in 2019, parent company of Harbor Wholesale and Harbor Foodservice. Jim also worked along-side his nephews (Bob, Mike, and Steve Erickson) spending the majority of his career in sales and eventually pioneering the company’s growth into new markets outside of Grays Harbor County. When the family moved the company to Tumwater in 1985, Jim opted to stay in Aberdeen with his close friends in the local community where he continued to serve Harbor’s customers for several years.
In 1966 Jim married his beloved spouse Peggy Erickson and cared for her sons Mitchell and Michael Stone. Jim and Peggy were active in the community and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition, they were members of the Grays Harbor Country Club, Lion’s Club, Aberdeen Elks, Rotary, Active Club, and the Chi Phi Fraternity.
Jim was preceded in death by Peggy, his parents, brother Bob, and stepson Mitchell Stone. Jim is survived by his nephews Bob Erickson and his wife Kathy, of Mercer Island; Steve Erickson and his wife Sally, of Olympia; and Michael Erickson and his wife Janet, also of Olympia; and by his stepson Michael Stone of Aberdeen. He is also survived by numerous grand and great-grand nephews and nieces.
Jim went on to Grays Harbor College and then transferred to University of Washington in 1950 where he earned a degree in Business Administration. While working on his education Jim completed his military service with the Washington National Guard.
After graduation, Jim returned to Aberdeen and joined his father and his brother Bob (Carl R.) in the family business, then known as West Coast Produce Co., founded in 1923 by Jim’s father Carl. Shortly thereafter (1954), West Coast Produce changed its official name to Harbor Wholesale Grocery Inc., later becoming Harbor Foods Group Inc. in 2019, parent company of Harbor Wholesale and Harbor Foodservice. Jim also worked along-side his nephews (Bob, Mike, and Steve Erickson) spending the majority of his career in sales and eventually pioneering the company’s growth into new markets outside of Grays Harbor County. When the family moved the company to Tumwater in 1985, Jim opted to stay in Aberdeen with his close friends in the local community where he continued to serve Harbor’s customers for several years.
In 1966 Jim married his beloved spouse Peggy Erickson and cared for her sons Mitchell and Michael Stone. Jim and Peggy were active in the community and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition, they were members of the Grays Harbor Country Club, Lion’s Club, Aberdeen Elks, Rotary, Active Club, and the Chi Phi Fraternity.
Jim was preceded in death by Peggy, his parents, brother Bob, and stepson Mitchell Stone. Jim is survived by his nephews Bob Erickson and his wife Kathy, of Mercer Island; Steve Erickson and his wife Sally, of Olympia; and Michael Erickson and his wife Janet, also of Olympia; and by his stepson Michael Stone of Aberdeen. He is also survived by numerous grand and great-grand nephews and nieces.