Thomas Rockley Erickson was born October 24, 1948 in Hawarden, Iowa to Rockley and Dorothy (Carlson) Erickson. He died August 25, 2023 in a car accident at the age of 74.

Tom received his early education at Brule Rural School. He graduated from Beresford High School on May 23, 1966. Eight days later he left for the Marine Corps. Tom served in Vietnam as a jet engine mechanic. After his enlistment ended on August 12, 1969, he used his GI Bill to attend flight school in Sioux Falls.

On January 31, 1970, Tom married his high school friend who turned into the love of his life, Linda Larson, at Komstad Covenant Church. Together they raised three children, Rebecca, Andrew and Joseph.

Tom spent the first year after his return from Vietnam in flight school and flew for the next four years. However, many nights spent away from his wife and young daughter caused Tom to leave flying and join the South Dakota Air National Guard on December 9, 1974. His friend Bob "Bubba" Fodness joined the same day. Tom served in the 114th Tactical Fighter Wing for 29 years, 1 month and 2 days, retiring on January 10, 2004. Never idle, Tom spent his retirement serving on the Beresford City Council and the Lewis & Clark Water Systems Board.

Tom had a lifelong passion for hunting and shooting and was a lifetime member of the NRA. He introduced an entire family tree to those activities and could often be found tinkering or reloading in his gun room. His favorite teams were the Green Bay Packers, the SDSU Jackrabbits, the Black Hills State Yellowjackets, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He and Linda also loved to travel together. More than any of his hobbies, the thing Tom loved the most in life was his family. He spent the past 25 years helping his children move and renovate their homes, attending grandchildren's concerts and sports games, visiting them at college, and teaching them how to drive.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Rockley and Dorothy; his in-laws, Gordon and Phyllis Larson; and a niece, Kayla Larson.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda; his three children, Rebecca (David) Noordsy of Brookings, Andrew (Crystal) Erickson of Sioux Falls and Joseph (Chelsey) Erickson of Sioux Falls; his 14 grandchildren, Sydney, Saige, Taylar, John, Luke, Corbyn, Sophie, Thomas, Jacqueline, Marley, Max, Rockley, Esia, and Briggman; his brother, Curtis (Judy) Erickson of Beresford; sister, Myrna (Byron) Itterman of Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Jerrine Ostenson of Edina, MN; two brothers-in-law, Chuck (Diane) Larson of Beresford and Greg (Sharon) Larson of Beresford; sister-in-law, Gail (Craig) Andersen of Centerville; many beloved nieces and nephews and his lifelong friends, Darrell, Pat, and Kyle Hellie.

Funeral services will be 2PM Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Burial with military honors will be at 4:15PM at Roseni Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8PM Wednesday at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.