In memory of

Eric Lee Walters

Jul 29, 1948
Oct 15, 2017

Obituary

Eric Walters, 69, unexpectedly died from heart failure October 15, 2017. He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Terry (Oregon), his oldest daughter, Cami Nihipali and husband Vince (Hawaii); his youngest daughter, Connie (Oregon); two grand-children Anuhea and Laʻanui; his brother, Tom Walters (Oregon) and wife, Susan, brother Dave Walters (California), sister-in-laws, Danice Bowers, her husband, Ron; Judy Cox and her husband, Cleve; many special nieces and nephews, and several grand-dogs: Shilo, Snoop, Boo, Ruby and Haupia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Phyllis Walters.

Born July 29, 1948, in Grove City, Pennsylvania, Eric was the youngest of three brothers. Tom, the oldest, followed by Dave, and then Eric - the baby. While still in elementary school his parents, William and Phyllis packed up the family and moved West. First to Seattle, Washington and then eventually they settled in Sacramento, California where Eric graduated from high school.

Eric would often share stories about his childhood - most notably about his big brothers, and the family dogs, a pair of Boxers named Ike and Gerti. A man of few words, it was always fun to hear the little nuggets Eric shared about his life. As a teenager he spent most summers in Oregon living with his oldest brother Tom, and working in the hayfields. During this time he met Terry, Susan’s little sister and his future wife.

After graduating from high school, Eric joined the Navy. During the Vietnam War he served in the Tonkin Gulf on the USS Oriskany, an E Class Aircraft carrier. As a “brown shirt” Plane Captain Eric oversaw aircraft maintenance, launch and recovery of planes. During this time overseas, he and Terry began corresponding via letters and their friendship blossomed into a deep love. Two months after being discharged from the Navy, on November 27, 1971 they were married during the worst snowstorm of the season, in a small country church in Langell Valley, Oregon. Eric and Terry settled in Klamath Falls, Oregon. They had two daughters, Cami and Connie. While in Klamath Falls Eric worked for Pacific Power and Light, and began as a meter-reader, was promoted to truck driver and eventually became a Journeyman Lineman. His job took him from Klamath Falls to Lincoln City, Grants Pass and Portland and after 27 years he retired in 2007.

As a born-again Christian, wherever Eric lived he was a part of a local church body,and through the years served as an elder, on worship and prayer teams. A heart for people he often ministered to those who needed comfort, prayer and compassion. His devotion to his faith is exemplified in the many daily prayer journals he kept, a testament to his gift of prayer for those who touched his life. In the last 10 years, he was a part of a men’s prayer and fellowship group, men he deeply loved.

Eric Walters had a beautiful tenor singing voice and while serving in the Navy he was part of the Blue Jacket Choir. In the 1980s, along with his wife and sister-in-law, Judy, he belonged to a music group “Children of the Word,” and they ministered around the Klamath basin. Eric loved singing with his family. Among his favorite songs were “My Tribute,” “He Walked as a Man,” “Beautiful Hands,” and “O Holy Night.”

Eric will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland Oregon on December 28, 2017 at 1pm with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Samaritanʻs Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) in his name, specifically “Operation Heal Our Patriots” as they are active in supporting military veterans with PTSD. Or to Warford Ministries, 11434 Otto St. #D | Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 .http://www.evangelistdeawarford.org

Eric had a servantʻs heart. With compassion and acceptance of others, he supported elderly Jews who migrated to Israel after the war, and had a heart for injured veterans. Eric’s kindness and compassion for others, his prayerful vigilance for those in his life, dedication to God, family and his country, his dependability to help when ever he could, his joy and his unconditional love are all a testament to a man who will be missed by those who loved him.

Service Information

Interment with Military Honors
Thursday December 28th, 2017 @ 1PM
Willamette National Cemetery
11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086

Messages of Sympathy

  1. Anonymous says:

    Thinking of you and your family. I remember all the lunches he made for you every day. You're in my prayers.

  2. Jerry and Marla Riecke says:

    Terry, Cami, Connie and family,
    Please know our thoughts are with you in your loss. I remember the fun houseboat trips, the dinners together, and of course the parent-teacher conferences....Eric was such a delight to be around; his caring and his sense of humor.
    He touched many people in many ways, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all of these people. Keep your special memories close.....Love,

  3. Brenda Roth says:

    My interactions with Eric were limited, but what impressed me about him was a peacefulness that could only have been fueled by the deep prayer life you wrote about. I'm grateful to have met him, Terry, and send you my love and prayers.

  4. Terry Witt says:

    As one of the men who met with Eric every Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM for Bible study -- I will miss him VERY much. His love for the Lord and knowledge of the Bible were truly inspirational. He was not afraid of death as he looked forward to being in the arms of Jesus. Rest in peace my Brother.

  5. Lisa says:

    Love this man! He is still with us in the hearts of his amazing family.
    Forever in my heart!

  6. Donna Hill says:

    I can still hear him singing "My Tribute". He was asked to sing it at my funeral. Now I'll wait to hear him in Heaven. He and Terry played a big part in my life that I'll not forget. Love and prayers to Terry and the family ....

  7. Sharlene Nihipali-Rodrigues says:

    Prayers of comfort and healing for the Ohana. A beautiful tribute to an amazing man. Eric was loved by many and it was always an honor and pleasure to meet him and Terry when they visited Hawaii. You will be missed, but your beautiful legacy lives on. Me Ke Aloha Pumehana, David, Sharlene Nihipali and Alexis.

  8. Brandi says:

    Sending your family all of my love and prayers.

  9. Susan says:

    Beautiful tribute

  10. Johnson Funeral Home Staff says:

    God places people in our paths for a reason. It has been an honor to serve Eric, and a pleasure to rub shoulders with his kind and genuine wife and dauthers. May you all be blessed wtih peace. Thank you for Trusting Johnson Funeral Home.

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