Obituary: Erik D. Venardos

Erik D. Venardos, died Nov. 1, 2007, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, in Prescott, Ariz. He was born Aug. 23, 1973, in Gulf Port, Miss., the son of Leonard and Janice (Pakenham) Venardos. Erik was 34 years old.

Erik moved to Chino Valley 12 years ago from Oregon. He was a pre-med student at both Yavapai College, Oakland Farmington Hills College in Michigan and had been accepted into the nuclear medicine program at Wayne State University.

Erik lived his life to the fullest and always on the edge; he liked speed - rather on his skateboard, his Acura RSX Type S black sport car, his extreme sports or jumping high in the air doing his butterfly kick in a karate match. He enjoyed rockin' his world and with his boyish innocent looks liked to push the envelope to see what he could get away with. He enjoyed interacting with children and friends. He was proudest of his tattoos and his car.

Erik is survived by his parents, Leonard and Janice of Chino Valley; son, Cody of Humboldt; and sister, Christie Venardos of Prescott Valley.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton, Prescott. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, at Saint Catherine LaBoure Catholic Church, 2062 N. Highway 89, Chino Valley

You are invited to log on to www.ruffnerwakelin.com to view a tribute, sign Erik's guest book, share a memory with the family.

The family suggests memorials to Saint Catherine LaBoure Catholic Church, P.O. Box 152, Chino Valley, AZ 86323.

Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home is assisting the family.

(Information provided by survivors.)