Eric David Johnson

Eric David Johnson died Thursday, January 18, 2024 in Portland, OR. Eric was born in Vancouver, WA on November 7th, 1979 to Debbie (Runyan) and David Johnson.

He is survived by parents Debbie and Arthur Parker of Wickenburg, AZ and David and Claire Johnson of Zachary, LA. Eric’s parents loved him fiercely and supported him throughout his life, celebrating his successes, strong work ethic, and his uncanny ability to make lifelong friends.

Eric is preceded in death by beloved great grandparents Emerson and Lola Runyan, Della and Aca Paul Rainey, Lucille and Charles Bennett Sr. and grandmother Carol Johnson. He is survived by grandparents Barbara and Paul Runyan, Mike Johnson, and Dorothy and Charles Bennett.

He is also survived by sisters Jennifer Hyppa and husband Randy, Hannah Vallelungo and husband Brandon, Autumn Fox and husband Matt and his brother Curran Johnson. Eric’s siblings were his biggest fans and Eric found happiness and hope in the interests and lives of nieces and nephews – Amaya, Miles, Arlo, Bennett, Taj, and Ellie.

As a child, Eric was blessed to spend time with his great grandparents on their property. He and Jenny could be found picking fruit, building wooden models, mastering the piano and playing with cousins. Eric brought joy to his many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Eric served in the United States Army as a satellite communications expert from 1998 – 2005. He took great pride in leading his squad. Honorably discharged after multiple strategic and combat deployments, he forged unbreakable friendships and rose to rank of Staff Sergeant.

From 2007-2015, Eric was married to his childhood friend Erin Moller. Their marriage was full of laughter, adventure and new experiences and in 2007, they moved to Louisiana where Eric began his civilian life work as a piping engineer. He worked at Jacob’s Engineering alongside his dad, David. He excelled at Auto-CAD 3D piping design work, received multiple promotions and utilized his German fluency to assist in international projects. Eric earned a reputation as hardworking, meticulous and eager to learn new skills on the job. In 2008, Erin and Eric returned to Portland where he continued his work with Fortis Construction, expanding his niche and finding pride in a job well done.

Eric loved an adventure. He traveled to Chile, Germany, Korea, Mexico, Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the US, always interested in new and authentic experiences. He could be found hiking PNW trails, tinkering on a woodworking project, playing music, thinking deeply about a big idea, all while earning respect in the various communities he held dear. He was loved deeply by many people in his lifetime.

In honor of Eric, consider donating to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Pacific NW Trail Association or working in your community.

Eric’s service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 2nd at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR with reception to follow at the Springwood Landing Gracious Retirement Living activity room from 12:30 – 2:00 pm. A live stream is available on Zoom for those who are unable to attend in person. Meeting ID: 353 894 7128, Passcode: ERIC