Harold L. Erickson, 83, 'stepped into the presence of Jesus' on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006, in Kalispell.

He was born July 24, 1923, to Arvid W.G. Erickson and Ruby (Cole) Erickson in Bloomfield. He began his education in a two-room school house in Bloomfield, attending high school in Kalispell and graduating in 1942 in Seattle.

He was a 1945 graduate of Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle, where his parents resided during World War II.

Harold married Beulah Anne Bylsma on Nov. 28, 1945. Harold was ordained by the Christian and Missionary Alliance and founded churches in Trego and Belgrade, also pastoring in Savage.

Harold and his brother, Arvid, began Dickey Lake Bible Camp in Northwestern Montana, and later he was instrumental in establishing Yellowstone Bible Camp in Bozeman.

Harold pioneered Christian Radio in Montana, beginning with KGVW in Belgrade in 1958, followed by KURL in Billings, KGLE in Glendive, KALS in Kalispell, KUYO in Casper, Wyo., KNDR in Mandan, N.D., and several others. His mission was to reach men, women and children for Jesus Christ whether in a church setting, Bible study or Christian radio.

In 1988, Harold fulfilled a lifelong dream to minister to pastoral and missionary families by developing Mountain Top Ministries in Bozeman.

He retired in Bigfork in 2002 where he remained active in the Little Brown Church.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah Erickson, of Bigfork; six children, Joy and Steve Stumbo, of Casper, Wyo., Elaine Erickson of Atlanta, Bruce and Ann Erickson of Bigfork, Marvin and Deb Erickson of Bozeman, Donna and Grant McDowell of Leduc, Alberta, and Doris and John Reese of Great Falls; 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Brown of Yakima, Wash., and Anna Lee Stewart of Creston, British Columbia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and one brother.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork. Viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to Dickey Lake Bible Camp Building Fund in Fortine; or through Little Brown Church.