Roll Call Tribute

From tributes.com

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Lake Travis
411 Ranch Rd. 620 S.
Lakeway, TX 78734
info@wcfish.com
Tel. (512) 263-1511

Erik Kyle Hanson
Born: November 6, 1998
Died: August 12, 2018
Location: Austin, Texas

We thank God for the precious gift of Erik's life with us. God lent him to us for nearly 20 years and now has chosen to call him back home. We had the privilege to raise him, share his journey, lead him to Christ, and now to let him go. Though not often outspoken about his faith, he held it tightly and without apology. He would want everyone who knew him to have eternal life found only in Jesus. We look forward to seeing Erik again when we step into heaven. Until then, we will miss him and cherish every memory we have of him.

Erik was born on November 6, 1998 in Jinan, China. Just before turning three in 2001, he moved to the USA, where he lived in Florida until moving to Texas in 2003. He lived in San Antonio and Boerne before moving to Austin in 2009, where he entered 5th grade at Lakeway Elementary. He attended Lake Travis Middle and High Schools, graduating in 2017. Erik was a varsity swimmer his freshman to junior years. During his junior year, Erik earned his Eagle Scout by completing his Eagle project at Austin Ridge Bible Church. Late in his junior year, he achieved his dream of playing high school football and joined the LTHS team, and played as a senior on the 2017 State Championship team.. Erik was chosen to represent LTHS at Texas Boy's State in 2016, and later that year became a West Point Academy nominee. Erik attended Texas A&M last year as a Corps of Cadets "fish" (freshman), a proud member of Company E-1 Jocks, Army 2nd Brigade. He was selected as a member of the Corps marksmanship team and received the Best Drilled Freshman award.

Erik began acting in stage plays when he was in 4th grade, and continued acting in and out of school. This culminated in his supporting role as Andrew in the 2015 film Footprints of a Dream produced by the Ajile Turner Foundation to support positive teen development. He also was part of the production of the Genesis film produced by Austin Ridge Bible Church. He loved to play chess and other strategy games. He loved to draw and would spend hours creating elaborate stories to regale us with. Later, he became a walking encyclopedia of past and current football trivia and an avid military history buff. He loved to fish. Once, at the age of six, he caught over 30 in one day. He enjoyed target shooting and hunting.

Erik was a rascal from birth, teasing and charming his way into the heart everyone he cared for. Though gregarious, he was an extremely private individual concerning his inner feelings. He didn't mince words, so you could always count on knowing what was on his mind. He prided himself in being a man of his word. Erik was so proud to be an American and planned to serve in the military or the US Secret Service. Chris Kyle was his hero, so much so that he took Kyle as his middle name. He often boasted that his peers all considered him more Texan that natives born here. He loved Texas and all things Texan.

Erik leaves behind his mother Katherine and step-father Tim, two stepbrothers and one stepsister, three aunts (one in the US, two in China) and four uncles (two in the US, two in China), three nephews and one niece (US), three cousins (two in China, one in the US) and two grandmothers (one in China, one in the US). Erik has joined both of his grandfathers in heaven already.

Thank all of you who touched and enriched Erik's life with your friendship. We also thank all our family and friends who have supported us through this tragic loss. Finally, though we don't understand why he took him, we thank our Lord for Erik's presence in our lives these past 20 years.

A memorial service will be held Saturday August 25th, 1 PM, at Austin Ridge Bible Church, 9300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78733.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Erik to Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M. Go to www.breakawayministries.org/donate/, then scroll down to the box "dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone" to complete the process. Erik looked forward to attending this year!

Kathy and Tim have found great comfort in the song Even If by MercyMe and the classic hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. We have also found comfort in pursuing God's direction in Philippians 4:4-8. Erik had a "no nonsense" character, exemplifying the values of verse 8, always standing his ground for his beliefs and challenging the status quo view held by others!

Philippians 4:4-8 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

A note to our son, Erik, in heaven
Nothing compares to the feeling of pride parents have when they see their son grow from a little boy so wonderfully into so fine a young man. Thank you for that feeling. Thank you for the opportunity to call ourselves proud parents. We love you and miss you so much.


Services

Funeral Service

Saturday, August 25
1:00 PM

Austin Ridge Bible Church, Bldg. D.
9300 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746


Interment

Monday, August 27
2:00 PM

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 820-3891