Obituary of Eric Christensen

Eric Christensen passed away on May 11, 2022, at Salem Hospital at age 64.

 Eric grew up in Jefferson, Oregon with his parents, Art and Dorothy, his little brother, Lance, and an ever-changing number of dogs. Shortly after high school, Eric moved to Salem, Oregon to start his (soon to be quite large) family with his new bride, Diane. Daine and Eric remained together through six children and 14 years of marriage. 

 In 1991 Eric and Diane separated and Eric started a new chapter with Kerri Sullivan, bringing her and her son Joseph into his family. Eric and Kerri would remain together for 25 years before Kerri passed of liver cancer.

 Eric had piercing eyes that could either be a source of comfort when his softer emotions shined through, or strike fear when one had earned his intense, disappointed glare. His beard, a permanent resident on his face since the mid-80s, was as much a part of him as any limb he was born with, as was his ponytail.  

 His boisterous laugh was instantly recognizable and fit perfectly with his antagonistic sense of humor. He loved to poke and prod people he loved. That’s how you knew you were one of his people.

 He was gruff, cynical, surly, and opinionated. He was stubborn and had to learn just about everything the hard way (as his table saw and missing fingertips could attest). He was very set in his ways and no one could ever tell him anything different, though sometimes he would come around but pretend he had always been that way.

 He worked very hard and was incredibly generous, not only in Farm Town but also in real life. He loved nothing so much as watching his kids and grandkids having fun. His 4th of July parties were legendary (some because they were great fun, others because he literally blew up his backyard, and his laugh rolled across the yard all day and night). He loved making things for people, taking up woodworking, and spent the better part of two years building bed frames, cabinets, and bookshelves for his kids.

 He never grew out of his love for big trucks, whether for work or for fun, and spent more of his life in one than his own bed at home. 

The family was important to him, and despite challenges, he always held them together in his own way, the proof of which was clearly evident when everyone came together to support each other as he very quickly got very sick.

 Eric is survived by his mother, Dorothy Christensen, his brother, Lance, and his six children and 13 grandchildren, who will all miss his presence at family gatherings. Family camping trips won't be the same. Christmas won't be the same without our very own Jolly fat man with a big white beard. He leaves behind a hell of a crew.