Lee R. Erickson

Lee R. Erickson, 87, of Coatesville, PA, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born in Manchester, CT on October 7, 1938, he was the son of the late Raymond and Norma Erickson. Lee graduated from Central Bucks High School, where he served as Student Council President and excelled as a defender in basketball and volleyball. He could sky. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Penn State University, where he also played volleyball. Lee then worked in cost accounting and financial reporting for 33 years, retiring in 1999 after a 26-year career with Christiana Care.

A proud Cold War veteran, Lee served in the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania from 1960 to 1963 and the Army Reserve until 1966, training at Fort Dix and Fort Knox. As a Specialist 4 and Heavy Weapons Infantryman, he served as a Platoon Guide and stood ready during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs invasion. Lee carried this military precision throughout his life; he was known—in the best possible way—as a stickler for detail, later applying that same meticulous care to organizing the church pews the way no one else could.

A dedicated member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church since 2008, Lee served faithfully as an usher and a counter. He was a true mover and shaker within the church community, contributing great strength and reliability during church renovations as well as ongoing outdoor maintenance projects to keep the property beautiful.

An avid Philly sports fan, Lee stayed highly active throughout his life, logging thousands of miles on his indoor bike, weightlifting, ice skating, shuffle-jogging, and taking stairs two at a time. He and his wife, Judy, shared a love of dancing, waltzing and jitterbugging together for over 64 years. In his younger years, he lovingly inspired his nieces, nephews, and later his grandchildren to dance on his feet.

Lee made friends, family, strangers, and caregivers alike feel special for exactly who they were, encouraging all to do their best. Known for his quick wit and one-liner jokes, Lee also took great pride in his Swedish heritage, frequently sharing Swedish phrases of affection with his family.

Lee is survived by his devoted wife, Judy Erickson; daughter, Jennifer Erickson; son-in-law, Mark Hardin; grandchildren, Emma Lavelle and Anna Lavelle; grandsons, Joshua Erickson and his wife Katie and Will Hardin and his wife Sasha; and great-grandchildren, Nathan, Jacob, Ellie, and Sophia. He was preceded in death by his dear parents and his beloved and greatly missed daughter, Barbara Erickson.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Glenmoore, PA on Friday, June 19th at 2:00 PM followed by a light reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.