Ronald Erickson

Ronald Duane Erickson (Plugger) was called by many titles over his 83 years: Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Husband, Son, Brother, and Friend, and he was cherished as each one. Ron was born on May 25, 1943, to Duane Lamar Erickson and Grace Lorraine Knowlden in Tooele, Utah. He died October 27, 2026, after a short battle with cancer.

Ron married Mayla Martinez on April 18, 1964, and together they had four children: Jody (Laurie) Erickson, Dawn (Troy) Finley, Windy (Jose) Rodriguez, and Ericka (Greg) Jordt. They later divorced. On November 15, 1982, Ron married his life partner, Peggy Jean Baker, who brought five more children into the family: Jesse (Barbara) Butler, Nancy Butler (deceased), Shannon (Paul) Wimmer, Joseph (Marci) McAllister, and Martin McAllister. Ron didn't believe in "step" family. He loved each and every one of his children as his own and called all of them his "kids."

Raising a blended family of nine free-spirited kids, there were plenty of opportunities for Dad to express his nonjudgmental, unconditional love to his children. No matter what mistakes were made, he never judged, and somehow always had the grace and patience to respond with love, understanding, and forgiveness (and maybe a head shake or two). He never held back an "I love you", and his family heard those words often.

Family was by far the most important thing to Ron. He was blessed with 26 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. He loved attending their sports and events and was always one of their biggest supporters. He was so proud of each and every one of them. When he wasn’t cheering on his grandchildren, he spent his time looking forward to the annual family gatherings he had created including elk camp, salsa parties, making dozens and dozens of tamales for the holidays, and Christmas Day at his house complete with the legendary "money can" that every grandchild looked forward to.

He was an avid hunter who loved being in the mountains, especially with his family, and he was able to enjoy his last elk and deer hunts with them this year at 83 years old. He spent many years hunting with his brother and children and had a very well-deserved reputation for being willing to get up earlier, hike farther, and hunt through any weather conditions from sunup to sundown for the chance to find a big buck, that he would almost always let someone else shoot.

Ron was an incredibly hard worker with a work ethic that was honest and selfless. He was known to work for almost nothing to help out anyone who was elderly or struggling, even when he was struggling himself. He worked many jobs throughout his life, including Town Marshal for Stockton, a supervisor at Kennecott, a property manager, and an animal control officer.

He was a hardworking, humble man with a heart of gold who spent his life showing those around him what really matters in life. He didn't need a lot to be happy. His riches were found in a house full of family, a little time in the mountains, and being able to help someone who needed it.

He was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Duane, his wife Peggy, his daughter Nancy, and his great-grandson Eliseo. He is survived by his brother Eric (Teresa) Erickson and sister Jeri (Roger) Paystrup, along with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A viewing will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 6p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St. Tooele, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 1pm with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Tate Mortuary. Interment will follow at the Tooele City Cemetery.