James Edward Erickson

Jim Erickson: Philanthropist, Investor, Sportsman, Family Man and Friend James Edward Erickson, 77, of Carmel, CA, beloved husband and father passed away on February 23, 2013 after a courageous battle with heart disease. Jim is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara, and his two children, Sandra and Curtis. He also leaves behind a sister, Lynn Kolowsky. Jim was born September 22, 1935 to Carl and Mabel Erickson and was raised in Riverhead, New York. He grew up walking to school accompanied by his faithful companion LuLu, the family German Shepard. Jim's passion for sports and love of God led him to Wheaton College of Illinois from 1953 to 1957. Jim played on the varsity football team his freshman year and by his sophomore year was the starting quarterback for the Wheaton College Crusaders. Jim quarterbacked Wheaton to three conference championships. He was named to the All-College Conference Team his senior year. His beloved Coach "Harv" Chrouser called Jim ?probably the best Wheaton quarterback in post-war years." Following graduation, Jim served for two years as a First Lieutenant in the Army based in Fort Meade, Maryland. After his discharge, Jim headed to Wall Street where his energy, drive and love of teamwork led to eighteen successful years as Head of Corporate Syndicate at Weeden & Co. On April 18, 1964 he married Barbara Beere of New Canaan, Connecticut in a service in Cornwall, Connecticut. In 1979, his love of the ocean and the fresh challenge of fixed-income investment management drew Jim, Barb and the kids to Boston and Putnam Investments. Over 19 years at Putnam, Jim developed and managed some of the first and, ultimately, the largest of the first generation of fixed-income mutual funds. Jim retired from Putnam in 1998 as Chief Investment Officer of the Tax Exempt Fixed Income department. Upon retirement, Jim and Barbara moved to Carmel, California. Jim embraced Carmel by giving of himself to his new community. A man of deep faith, Jim's involvement with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Trinity High School and The Youth Foundation offered him the fulfillment of creating better opportunities for kids, while passing along some of the wisdom that helped him succeed in life. Whether he was on the water, on a golf course, at a trading desk, in a boardroom or in a chapel, Jim embraced life and the people around him. Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father and friend who lived his faith every day. A memorial service will be held at the Carmel Presbyterian Church on Junipero Street at Noon on Saturday, March 2, 2013. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Fellowship of Christian Athletes online at: http://montereybayfca.org or by mail at: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.O. Box 8366, Huntington Beach CA 92615-8366. Please make checks to FCA and write ?In memory of Jim Erickson? in memo line.