Ellen Erickson

Ellen Thomas Erickson, born to parents Charles and Frances Thomas on March 2, 1962 in Washington, DC, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 18, 2016 at age of 54. Ellen graduated from Paint Branch High School in Maryland as Valedictorian and was featured in "Who's Who in American High Schools." Among her early achievements, Ellen served as captain of a winning team on the live broadcast, It's Academic. While in High School, she completed an Advanced Math Placement at the University of Maryland. An accomplished Violinist, Ellen played for the Montgomery County Youth Orchestra, and later advanced to the Maryland Youth Symphony.
As a National Merit Scholar, Ellen entered the University of Maryland and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1985. Proud to serve, Ellen joined the U.S. Navy, entering Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. She advanced to Battalion Commander before being commissioned as an Ensign in August 1987 and was based in Hawaii with tours in Adak Alaska, the Philippines, Seychelles, and Guam. During this time, Ellen became a triathlete and ultimately advanced to rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR). On October 2, 1993, Ellen married the love of her life, Naval Aviator Steven James Erickson. During their final post in Meridian, Mississippi, Ellen earned a Masters of Business Administration at Mississippi State University.
After release from Active Duty in January 1998, Ellen joined US West (later Quest) in Denver, Colorado. When her husband was hired as a Pilot for American Airlines, they relocated to Plano, Texas. Ellen joined Alcatel as a Service Manager, happy to be in the state she loved. After 9/11, Ellen entered the Active Naval Reserves as a LCDR to contribute her skills and expertise until diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Ellen then enjoyed being a full-time homemaker and volunteering with the Texas Republican Party and was proud to serve as a Texas Delegate.
Ellen is survived by her beloved husband and their beloved dog, Bender; both parents; sister Sharon Thomas of Houston; brother Charles Thomas and sister-in-law Regina Thomas, nephew Michael Thomas of Denver; sister Grace Thomas Tasch, brother-in-law Peter Tasch, and nephew Dominic Tasch of Frankfurt, Germany. She is also survived by her aunt Jean Thomas Helton of New Jersey, and Uncle Alvin Hicks and Gwendolyn Hicks; sister-in-law Sally Erickson of Atlanta; Dennis Erickson and wife Patricia of Watertown, Wisconsin; and many loving cousins and close friends.
Ellen is remembered as a principled person of deep faith, kind, and generous. Her going-home service will be at Allen Family Funeral Options from 3:00pm - 5:00pm with Words of Remembrances at 4:00pm on Monday, July 25, 2016. Internment will be at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Rd. Dallas, Texas 75211.