Erik Christian Larson

Erik Christian Larson, 50, of Shafter, passed away on Feb. 21, 2023.

Erik, born on Sept. 11,1972, was born in Wasco to Sandra Pieper Larson and George Harvey Larson. His grandmother was a nurse at the hospital where he was delivered. Erik grew up in Shafter with his sister, Kristin Larson Meranda, and graduated from Shafter High in 1991. His teachers recall Erik and friends skateboarding in their empty pools as teenagers. Erik's father, George, was also a teacher and coach at Shafter High.

After graduating high school, Erik worked a series of service and maintenance jobs, and at one, he met his future wife, Julie Nickell Larson, in 1992. Erik and Julie were married on July 9, 1995, in Las Vegas, in the company of their close friends and family. Erik wore a tuxedo complete with shorts, a top hat, a cane and black Doc Marten boots.

Erik's firstborn daughter, Darcy Shea Allen, was born in 1992. In 1996, Julie and Erik had their first child together, Katelyn Elise Larson. Shortly after, Erik went to work at Pepsico as a service technician, to support his growing family. A gifted technician and handyman by nature, Erik maintained his position at Pepsi for over 25 years. In 1999, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Larson. Erik watched proudly as Hannah graduated from CSU Monterey Bay in 2022, and Katie from UC Berkeley in 2018. He was a caring and devoted father who loved his family with all that he had.

In his free time, Erik applied his technical knowledge to various creative pursuits, including lampmaking, glass cutting and collecting. Despite encouragement from those who knew him, Erik never sold any of his creations, rather, he gifted them to friends and loved ones. Those of us lucky to have one will cherish these pieces for years to come. It is appropriate that his legacy will live on in these lamps, as his legendary sense of humor and sharp wit brought light to everyone he encountered.

Erik is survived by Julie and his three daughters, as well as his sister, Kristin, and parents George and Sandra.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter. A reception will follow.