Dad's Obit: He did a lot!
Nils “Jack” Erickson passed away peacefully on September 23, 2020. He is survived by his children Craig and his wife Leigh and Marc and his wife Ann. He was preceded in death by Marian, his wife of 44 years. Jack was born in Dallas, Texas to Oscar and Gladys Erickson in 1926 and spent his entire life in the Dallas area. He went to North Dallas High School where he was a member of ROTC. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served in the Philippines during the Second World War II where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Right out of the Army Jack joined the Texas Army Reserve attaining the rank of Captain and finished his 35 year Military career with the Texas National Guard in 1979 as the HHC Command Sargent Major of the 49th Armored Division.
Jack had a long successful career at Texas Instruments spanning 30 years from 1959 to 1989. He worked as a draftsman / engineer in airborne radar and made many lifelong friendships with his coworkers which he maintained until his passing.
Jack who along with his wife Marian went from being early Allen Steen black belts to founding their own system and school, the “Dragon School” of Tae Kwon Do in 1976. Training not only under Mr. Steen but also under Jhoon Rhee and Ye Mo Ahn, he earned high-dan levels in Chun Do Kwan and Moo Duk Kwan. Jack was an original board member of the American Karate Black Belt Association and a Board of Advisor for the American Karate and Tae Kwon Do organization. He attained the rank of 9th degree in both the AKBBA and the AKATO and was inducted into the Karate Masters Hall of Fame in 2007. Ever the Gentle Giant, Jack inspired a whole generation of martial arts practitioners in Texas. His presence would fill a room - not necessarily by anything he did, but simply by who he was. Jack summed up his teaching philosophy by saying, "When we were younger, we thought that there was only one way—the way we had originally been taught. However, the more things we see, the more we realize that the main core is the same in all the martial arts: unity of body, mind and spirit.
A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date at Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
Jack will be missed by many. He was a positive role model, friend to all who met him and a beloved Father. You can be sure St. Peter will be greeted with a big smile and resounding “well hello” when Jack passes through the Pearly Gates.
