Thomas Alan Erkelens

November 21, 1949 - May 28, 2022

Going, going, gone! Tom Erkelens, age 72, passed away peacefully at his home on May 28, 2022, due to multiple complications related to cancer. He was born in Ogden, Utah on November 21, 1949, to John and Evelyn (Denning) Erkelens, and was raised in Salt Lake City. He spent his youth having fun, playing sports, and getting into trouble with his older brother, Jerry. In 1973 he married Kris, and together they started a wonderful family.

Tom had a knack for business. In 1984 he began his auction business, Erkelens Sales and Auction, and built it into a very successful endeavor. Over his many years of auctioning, he sold everything imaginable. In 1993, he purchased an old, abandoned icehouse on the west side of Salt Lake City. Over the next several years he and his brother Jerry transformed that building into an elegant auction house that became a gem in the neighborhood.

Tom loved to have fun. He spent a lot of time at Lake Powell, St. George, Mesquite, Lake Mead, and Las Vegas. He took his family and friends on many epic trips to each of these places several times a year. In 2000 he was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma. Under the care of skilled physicians and with the faith, love, and prayers of loved ones, he was able to beat the disease and have twenty-two more wonderful years of life with his friends and family. He especially cherished the time he had with his five grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kris; his three children, T. C. Erkelens (Julie), Tara Leard, and Matt Erkelens (Nicole); his five grandchildren, Brian; Jeff, Katie, Rock, and Robbie; his brothers Jerry Erkelens (Janet), Scott Erkelens (Jean), and Craig Erkelens (Dennis Graham). He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn; his brother Brent Erkelens; Brent's husband, Rick Ith; and his son-in-law, Rob Leard.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial open house in his honor on Monday, June 13 at Le Jardin Reception Center located at 1910 Dimple Dell Rd in Sandy, Utah, at any time between 2-4 pm. A brief presentation will take place at 3pm.