Eric Marvin Dagel

Eric was 12 years old and in the 7th grade at Marshall Middle School.   He attended Minnie Gant and Monroe Elementry school. He was 18 months younger than his sister Julia and 4 years younger than his sister Emily. He loved to play with his friends and have a fun time. Enjoyed riding his bike around the house, to and from school and even to his aunts house. He asked to go the skate park often. He and his family would go dirt bike riding often and he had a blast riding motorcycles. His favorite game was minecraft which kept him busy. Family was a priority and he loved swimming at his Aunt Jenny's pool. He enjoyed playing the clarinet in his school band. At a young age Eric was interested in his dad's woodworking passion and recently he and his dad made a desk. He really loved the new fad of fidget spinners. His favorite foods included Cheezits, pretzels, pizza, chicken nuggets, Pepsi, Twix, and other candy. In August, Eric attended church camp with his church group and had an amazing experience. He came home and told his mom and dad that he wanted to be baptized. He was baptized on Sunday, Sept 24th at the church beach baptism. He loved Jesus and enjoyed going to church. His smile, silliness, and love for life was contageous to all who were around him. We send him lots of bear hugs just as he would give them to us. He will be missed by ALL.

An excerpt from the Long Beach Press Telegram:

"A 12-year-old boy killed last week while bicycling in Long Beach was a joyful presence among a tight-knit group of friends at a local church, according to people who knew him.

“Eric was a little more energetic than most kids, had a lot of life to give. He was always happy,” said Scott Schlatter, a youth pastor at Parkcrest Christian Church in Long Beach.

On Friday, a makeshift memorial sprung up at the corner of Woodruff and Conant. A string of seventh-grade classmates wrote messages to Eric or left flowers and balloons.

For Eric, life was meant to be enjoyed, Schlatter said.

The boy had a group of friends at Parkcrest who were like family to him, according to the pastor.

Eric had an ability to draw fun from the mundane, according to Schlatter.

“He could have an empty soda can and turn it into a game,” the pastor said. The boy wore a smile even when he was in trouble, he said.

Eric was a dirt biking enthusiast, according to Schlatter. He talked often about biking trips to the desert and hoped to one day go pro and compete in the X Games."

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401