Vernon Ray "Pat" Erickson

Vernon Ray “Pat” Erickson, 88, of Clifton, went to be with the Lord on August 24, 2026, after a long and fruitful life. He passed peacefully in the memory care unit at Lutheran Sunset Ministries, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clifton. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning, prior to the service, at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Pat was born in Clifton, Texas, on March 14, 1938, to Homer and Vera Erickson. He attended Clifton public schools and graduated from Clifton High School in 1956. He attended North Texas State University for one year before transferring to Southwest Texas State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1961. He was an active member of the U.S. National Guard during this period of his life as well.

Pat was baptized at First Baptist Church in Clifton and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clifton, where he remained a lifelong member.

Pat married his high school sweetheart, Martha Colwick, on August 27, 1960, and they spent nearly 66 years together in marriage. They began their family in 1964 with the birth of their son, John, followed by their daughter, Kim, in 1967, and son, Randy, in 1972.

Pat grew up on the family farm, where he learned the values of hard work, discipline, and the importance of family. He followed in his father’s footsteps, farming, ranching, and trucking. In 1963, Pat and Martha purchased a feed mill, which they owned and operated as Erickson Feed Mill for 40 years. Later the mill was expanded to include the tall grain elevator and tanks near downtown Clifton. The feed mill was more than just a business; it was a gathering place for local farmers who would stop in to visit, take a break, and escape the Texas heat. Their grandchildren spent countless hours at the feed mill with them, growing up surrounded by the familiar faces and conversations of the local farming community.

Pat farmed hundreds, if not thousands, of acres throughout those years while also running the feed mill and doing extensive custom farming for others. He also raised hogs and cattle for many years. He worked from dawn until dusk, five, six, and sometimes seven days a week. He always worked hard to provide the very best for his family.

In 1967, Pat and Martha purchased their own family farm where they raised their family and lived for many years. The farm became a place where extended family gathered for holidays, where grandkids spent many weekends, and where he first coined his most famous line, “It’s tickle time in Texas!” which he’d yell as he chased down his grandkids to tickle them on the couch. He also taught them to play checkers and dominoes. The grandkids all have stated that he made them all feel loved and special.

Family was incredibly important to Pat. He loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and band performances and especially enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and, eventually, his great-grandchildren. He had a love for the simple things in life, particularly fudgesicles and fried fish. He never missed an opportunity for a 9:00 a.m. fudgesicle with his great-grandchildren.

In any free time he had, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards and dominoes. Dominoes was a favorite of Pat’s - he and his uncle, Don Humphries, even won the title of Bosque County Champions more than once. Pat also enjoyed attending sporting events, especially Baylor and Texas college football games.

Throughout the years, Pat sponsored many little league baseball teams and supported local children who raised livestock for the Central Texas Fair each year. He also served for many years on the Production Credit Association board of directors in Temple. Pat also was a member of the Clifton Lion’s Club for 50 years. He spent many hours working in concession stands and many days frying bacon for the pancake suppers over the years.

Pat was preceded in death by his son, Randy; his parents, Homer and Vera; and his sister, Betty.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; son, John Erickson and his wife, Jessica; daughter, Kim Amundson and her husband, Brett; sister, Linda Chism and her husband, Ben; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Hospice Sunset, and Goodall-Witcher Hospital for the wonderful care they provided to Pat over the past few months.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Hospice Sunset, Lutheran Sunset Ministries, or Goodall -Witcher Hospital Foundation.