Alvar Eberhard Eriksson, Jr. Obituary

April 14, 1931 – October 3, 2023

Alvar Eberhard Eriksson, Jr. (“Al”, “Sonny”, “Red”) was born in Galveston, Texas on April 14, 1931 to Alvar Eberhard Eriksson, Sr. and Edna Cecilia Nelson of Landskrona, Sweden and Galveston, Texas, respectively.  He grew up on the family farm in La Marque, Texas.  After graduating from La Marque High School in 1948, he completed his Carpenter’s Apprenticeship and International Correspondent School while working for Texas Gulf Construction Company.  Alvar served in the U. S. Navy’s Construction Battalion (Seabees) and Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) during the Korean conflict.  After being honorably discharged, he returned home to earn his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston in 1958, where he also served as President of the Lutheran Club.  Alvar was fortunate enough to enjoy a career following his passion for construction for over 66 years.  During that time, he owned Eriksson Construction Company and worked for Hugh Patrick Constructors and Gulf Coast Water Authority in the commercial and industrial construction fields.  Many of the significant commercial and industrial projects he was involved with are still in use today throughout Galveston County.  His knowledge and commitment to excellence earned him a well-deserved reputation for professionalism and superior work product.  He was well known to say, “You do it right, or you do it over.”

In 1962, Al met the love of his life, Carla Adriana Federighi through a mutual friend. Al and Carla were married on January 4, 1964, living in Galveston and later moving to La Marque.  They had four daughters, Carla Adriana Eriksson, Erika Victoria Federighi Eriksson, Tanya Frederika Eriksson Wood and Alexandra Elizabeth Eriksson.

Having been raised on a farm, Sonny’s love of all things agricultural was carried on throughout his life.  His feature in Life Magazine for catching a calf at the Houston Fat Stock show in 1947 inspired him to fill his pastures with cattle that he did not have to tackle.  His animal interest not only included cattle but extended to chickens, rabbits, emus, peacocks, quail, guineas and wild turkeys.  Sonny had a masterful green thumb; he could grow anything.  Be it a vegetable garden, fruit trees, pecan trees and most recently, oak trees.

For many years, Al was involved in the Galveston County Ranchers Association along with the Galveston County Fair & Rodeo.  He thoroughly enjoyed helping others throughout his lifetime.   In 1992, Al became a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ and was a volunteer for over 35 years serving on the Houston Metro Go-Texan and the International Committees.  Al and Carla traveled around the world as ambassadors for the International Committee promoting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ and the State of Texas, making many lifelong friends and acquaintances.  

If Sonny was not working with his hands to build something, he would prefer to be either in a boat or in a blind as he was an avid outdoorsman, which knowledge and enthusiasm he passed to his daughters and grandchildren.  He enjoyed spinning Carla around many a honky tonk, most especially the sawdust covered dance floor of Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar in Bandera.  Sonny may not have cooked frequently, but when he did, he specialized in surf and turf.  Either making his infamous boiled shrimp or BBQing brisket on his custom-made “Big Red” pit.  He loved to attend Texas A&M University events and to surround himself with family and friends at the many festive gatherings hosted by he and Carla, often telling life stories under the oak trees.  There were many other stories told to his closest male companions, but never to his daughters. 

Anyone who met Al was drawn into his charming, calm and patient nature, which carried through to his unselfish, lifelong, patriarchal mentoring of colleagues, friends, family and strangers.   

Although he could not often get a word in edgewise when surrounded by 5 women, he was always very proud of his girls.  

Alvar was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Carla; mother, Edna; father, Alvar Sr.; sisters Barbara Jeanne Eriksson and Karin McCallum (Bill); and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Iacopo A. and Iside G. Federighi.

He is survived by his four daughters: Carla A. Eriksson, Erika V. F. Eriksson (Dwayne R. DeVries), Tanya F. Eriksson Wood (Michael A. Wood), and Alexandra E. Eriksson; granddaughter, Hunter Gabriella Eriksson and grandson, Michael Eriksson Wood.

Pallbearers will be Michael E. Wood, Lawrence (Larry) M. Parsons, Donald (Don) L. Collier, Quentin J. Coryatt, Jerry Mathis, Donald (Don) P. Tarpey.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Hunter G. Eriksson, Michael A. Wood, Richard (Ricky) J. Parsons, George I. Saracco, Henry (Kevin) K. Teichman, Omar Torres and Tommy Pennington. 

A visitation will be held at James Crowder Funeral Home, 401 Texas Avenue, La Marque, on Monday, October 9th, from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.  

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 am, Tuesday, October 10th at James Crowder Funeral Home.  Burial will follow the services at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7801 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson, Texas.