Peter Jerrel ("P.J.") Erickson

Peter (“P.J.”) Erickson, 83, of Port Charlotte, FL, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024.

He was born on October 31, 1941, in Fargo, North Dakota to Gerald and Katherine (Pierce) Erickson. P.J. was an only child and his parents adored him. The feeling was mutual. He had a wonderful childhood which included hours upon hours of exploring and swimming and boating with cousins and extended family at the summer home on Cotton Lake, Minnesota.  P.J. also loved spirited games of chess, scrabble, cribbage and poker with family in addition to “game dinner” gatherings at the family home in Enderlin, North Dakota.

After graduating from Shanley High School and attending classes at North Dakota State University, P.J. began his career in the newspaper business at the Fargo Forum. P.J. later moved to Arizona where he joined the sports reporting staff of the Tucson Daily Citizen in the late 1960s. He often shared stories of his interviews and interactions with local and national sports figures.  He later moved into the production side of the newspaper and became assistant sports editor.

P.J. made the move to Phoenix, AZ in 1973 where he continued his newspaper career at The Arizona Republic. He started out as a news copy editor and later became an assistant news editor. In the mid-1980s he was instrumental in creating and leading a team dedicated to digitizing page layout, a novel approach at the time. P.J. eventually transitioned out of management and worked as an editorial page producer until his retirement in 2007. He had a 30+ year career in the newspaper industry in Arizona and during that time he made some great friends along the way that he remained close with after retirement.

In addition to being a self-proclaimed “news junkie,” P.J. was passionate about reading and writing, music (especially jazz), billiards, all sports (especially golf) and living ‘the good life’ in the Valley of the Sun.  He was especially proud to be a Dad, a Grampa and a Great-Grampa. P.J. was a talented writer and lyricist. He wrote “Where Did the Magic Go?” recorded by Tony Bennett. He was a fixture at local jazz clubs in Phoenix, when he wasn’t shooting pool at Clicks or Bull Shooters.

In 2021, he moved to Florida to be near family.  Despite enjoying the chance to get back out on the water on occasion, he was none too pleased with experiencing hurricane-related weather firsthand.

P.J. is survived by his daughter Kristine (Greg) Ramon, granddaughter Laura (Mike Mueller) Erickson, and great granddaughters, Charlotte and Katherine.

 As per P.J.’s wishes there will be no funeral services.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice in P.J.’s memory.