Forest E. Erickson

Forest E. Erickson went to be with our Lord on January 31, 2013. Forest was born on August 27, 1919 in Westville, OK. His family moved to Fort Collins in 1935. Forest worked for the Colorado and Southern Railroad on the section crew, then as a brakeman. He then owned and operated Fort Collins Produce. On Jan 22, 1942 he was inducted in the 90th Division, "The Tough Hombres", 357th Infantry Regiment Company B where he served under General Patton. The 90th Division was one of the 1st battalions to storm Utah beach at Normandy on D Day, June 6, 1944 followed by eleven months of continuous battle ending in Czechoslovakia. Forest received the Purple Heart and two Bronze Star Medals for his "heroic or meritorious achievement or service" in the war. When Forest returned to Fort Collins following the war he met his loving bride of 67 years, Rozella. He began working for Public Service and they moved to Aurora, Colorado in 1948. When Forest retired from Public Service in 1972 he and Rozella returned to Fort Collins. He enjoyed garden railroading, riding his scooter to the health club each morning and telling stories of earlier days in Fort Collins. Forest is survived by his wife Rozella, daughter Linda Dennis Bason, grandson Brian Amy Bason, and two great-grandchildren, Jagger and Burke. He has touched many lives and will be missed by all that knew him. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, 12 p.m., at Southside Baptist Church, 620 Horsetooth Rd. Interment with military honors by the Ft. Collins All Veterans Honor Guard will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.