Eric Arvid Zakarison

"Eric died.  Boat for sale," is what Eric's devilish humor would have us publish… but we're not selling his boat.

Eric Arvid Zakarison passed away at home, surrounded by music and loving family, on September 2nd, 2024, from complications related to Parkinson's Disease. He was 65. Eric was born September 30, 1958 in Spokane, WA.  He leaves behind his wife— Sheryl, children— Aaron, Ariel, and Shannon, father— Russell, and sisters—Kristine and Elizabeth.

Eric approached life and endeavors with the sensitivity, curiosity, and ingenuity of an artist, the resolve of a frontiersman, and the heart of a romantic. Eric graduated from Pullman High School and was captain of the baseball team. He generally stayed out of trouble with a few exceptions. While attending WSU for a bachelor's degree in agronomy, Eric fell in love with his future wife, Sheryl. In her he found a lifelong inspiration for growth, adaptation, and a partner in farming. He knew and loved every inch of the land he tended. Even while traveling internationally for various agricultural organizations (farming on nights and weekends), he was happiest when he could fully return to the farm. A talented mechanic, Eric miraculously kept many antique trucks, and tractors running. In the eyes of his children, though, his greatest mechanical achievement was the 25' tall trebuchet he built one Thanksgiving, often used to launch celebratory flaming Halloween pumpkins.

Eric loved the wilderness of northern Idaho. His children grew up fishing its rivers and backpacking in the Bitterroot mountains, insisting on visiting the top of every peak and sharing his joy at seeing salmon returning to spawn in the Selway river.

Eric was a gentle and beautiful soul. His natural charisma and interest in others made him a delight to be around.  He loved the community brought to the farm by the Zakarison feed business, which his wife, Sheryl, and daughter, Ariel, continue to operate.  Services will be planned for a later date.  Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the Zakarison family prefers donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation (parkinsons.org) and/or the Organization for Competitive Markets (competitivemarkets.com).