Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Obituary: Erik Thomas Mathijssen

Erik Thomas Mathijssen

Erik Thomas Mathijssen

Erik Thomas Mathijssen, 41, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on July 7, 2015. Born on July 8, 1973, he was the beloved son of Kay and Arend Mathijssen of Williams, Arizona.

He is survived by his daughters: Gabrielle Brianne Mathijssen and Alexandra Nicole Mathijssen of Las Vegas, Nevada, and stepson Ezra Weste of Bainbridge, Georgia; parents Kay and Arend Mathijssen of Williams; sisters Maggie Mathijssen, Dorothy Alvarez and her husband Bobby, Ginger Dunham and her husband Kevin, Linda Mathijssen and brother Arend Mathijssen, III. He had many nieces and nephews who loved him very much. Erik had a great love for his family and for life and was a strong friend and ally to those he was close to.

Erik joined the Marine Corps in January 1992. Shortly after finishing Boot Training, he was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope. While there Erik was in a TV interview, held at the soccer stadium in Mogadishu. He was interviewed by Ted Koppel on "Nightline."

During Operation Iraqi Freedom he was a Platoon Sergeant in charge of a 24-man Recon Platoon for both Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. Erik led his Recon Platoon during combat operations in the initial Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004 displaying valor and heroism on a daily basis. He was awarded two medals for valor during these deployments and he received the Bronze Star Medal in 2004.

After back-to-back deployments, Erik volunteered and he was selected to become a Combatant Dive Instructor for the Marine Combatant Dive School in Panama City, Florida. He was in charge of a 10-man detachment responsible for daily functions and training of 35 Enlisted and Officer Marines in a high risk environment.

He assisted in training over 300 Marine Enlisted and Officers as well as USAF PJ's and Combat Controllers. He retired from the Marine Corp as a Gunnery Sergeant in 2007. After his retirement, Erik worked for a special mission's contractor in support of the U.S. Government Intelligence gathering operations.

At the time of his death, Erik was an accomplished student at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas. Cooking had been one of his passions since he was nine years old.

A special scholarship will be set up in his name at Le Cordon Bleu. This will be used for one of the retired military students who is now attending Le Cordon Bleu. He also belonged to the Infidels Motorcycle Club, a veteran formed and based club for Patriotic Americans and our supporting allies.

Erik is deeply missed by his family and friends.

Erik always used this phrase in his letters thanking his father and I for being his parents, therefore we are saying it back to him:

"We love you and miss you. Thank you for being our beloved son."

Semper Fi!


Donate Report a Typo Contact