Arvid Alfred Erickson, who in the early 1950s pastored a church in Fortine, died July 25, 2005, in Yakima, Wash., where he lived since 1962.

He was born Nov. 22, 1921, in Bloomfield to Arvid and Ruby Erickson.

Arvid attended Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle, where he met and married Evelyn Linscheid, his wife of 61 years. He was a licensed minister in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Their first pastorate was in Fortine. He later became dean of men at the Canadian Bible College in Regina, Saskachewan, and served there in several capacities for seven years.

In 1958, Arvid and his brother, Harold, founded KGVW in Belgrade, Montana's first Christian radio station. In 1962, Arvid moved his family to Yakima to sign on with KBBO. He managed the station until 1980 and remained the chief engineer for several more years.

Arvid was an active member of the Yakima Christian and Missionary Alliance church, serving as an elder for several decades. He loved working with his hands. He built and remodeled homes and cars, and could fix almost anything electric. But his special gifts were in woodworking. He has made many beautiful items for his home, several churches, businesses, and family members. His legacy will remain in his handiwork. He was a blessing to all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; two sons and a daughter; seven grandchildren; two great-grandsons; three sisters; and a brother, Harold and Beulah Erickson of Bigfork.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters.

A memorial service was to be conducted at 3 p.m. today, July 29, in the Yakima Alliance Church.

Memorials can be made to the Alliance Missions (Christian Missionary Alliance Church) through Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.