Eric T. Spaulding

Eric Todd Spaulding was born on November 1, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to his loving parents, Larry and Bonita Spaulding. He was the oldest of three children and immediately embraced his role as big brother to his younger sisters, Tonya Carter and Raven Johnson. Eric was a hardworking and determined son, a goofy and protective older brother, and someone who brought love, laughter, and joy to his family from an early age.

Growing up, Eric was known for his many talents and interests, including his love of sports, break dancing, and his caring nature. Many knew him affectionately as “E.T.”
Eric attended school in Forest Park, where he met some of his lifelong friends, including Derrick Jackson, Clyde Boswell, and Wiley Simons. Years later, he met Greg Patterson and many other friends who would become an important part of his life. Eric cherished the friendships he made throughout the years, and many of those relationships remained strong and meaningful throughout his life. Some of his favorite times with his friends included playing PlayStation until the early hours of the morning, joking around, sharing heartfelt stories about life, and, of course, engaging in a friendly debate about the latest sports news. Eric was known for his quick wit, infectious humor, and comedic ways.

In the early 1990s, Eric met his loving wife, Miska, and the two began a lifelong love story. They were married on June 26, 1999. Although Miska was his wife, she was so much more than that, she was a part of him. Eric knew he had found his first heartbeat.

Together, Eric and Miska spent years building a life rooted in love and trust, traveling the world, and opening their hearts to one another in ways they had never experienced before. In their union, they created four more heartbeats: Ashley Cymone of Houston, Texas; Asia Christina of Cincinnati, Ohio; Aricka Cheyenne of Kent, Ohio; and Adrianna Ciara of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Eric was a devoted husband and the ultimate girl-dad, but most importantly, he was the one person his family could always lean on. He never missed an opportunity to show up for his girls. From dance recitals and band concerts to sporting events and practices, fashion shows, mock trial competitions, art shows, school plays, and graduations, Eric was there. He made sure his daughters knew that they were loved, supported, and never alone. Anything his daughters wanted or needed, Eric did his best to provide. They knew they could often get an easy “yes” from the man who simply wanted to make his girls happy and see them smile. His love for his daughters was evident in every part of his life, and being their father was one of his greatest joys.

Eric’s wisdom, generosity, and care extended far beyond his immediate family. He was a devoted father figure, uncle, nephew, grandson, cousin, and friend to the many people who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. He had a way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for, and his presence left a lasting impression on everyone around him.
Eric dedicated more than 33 years of his life to Ford Motor Company, where he worked as a manufacturing technician. He was a dedicated and reliable employee who was respected and appreciated by his coworkers. Those who worked alongside him remembered him as a “great guy” and “the best guy to know”, a testament to the character and kindness he brought with him each day.
Eric was also an avid sports enthusiast. His favorite teams included the Florida State Seminoles, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, the Cincinnati Reds, and any team fortunate enough to have LeBron James wearing its jersey. But above all, Eric was a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan. If one of his teams was playing, you could almost guarantee Eric would be there in his jersey, cigar in hand, Woodford Reserve nearby, yelling, cheering, celebrating, and passionately urging his team to bring home the victory. His man cave was more than a room; it was a place where some of his most precious memories were made, with family, with friends, and sometimes simply enjoying his own company.

Eric had a remarkable way of making an impact on the people around him. Through his love for his family, his loyalty to his friends, his humor, his passion for sports, and simply by being unapologetically himself, he created memories that will be cherished forever.

Eric is preceded in deaths by his Grandparents: Alvin and Mabel Pittard, Benjamin and Ella Mae Spaulding (step-grandmother), Grandmother: Christine Spaulding, Mother-in-law: Bettye Matthews and Step Mother-in-law: Rev. Loretta Matthews.

Eric leaves behind his beloved wife, Miska; his daughters, Ashley Cymone, Asia Christina, Aricka Cheyenne, and Adrianna Ciara; his parents, Larry and Bonita; Father-in-law Archbishop E. Holmes Matthews Jr., his sisters, Tonya and Raven; sister-in-laws Michon Broadnax and Bridgette Jackson, brother-in-law Gerald Johnson and Mark Jackson, nieces:  Amber Gray, Alanna Carter, Jadyn Johnson, nephews: Jerome Jones, James Matthews, Myles Jackson and Caleb Johnson and a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, bonus brothers and sisters, lifelong friends, coworkers, and loved ones.

Though his time with us was far too short, Eric’s love, laughter, wisdom, and unmistakable spirit will continue to live on in everyone who knew him. His greatest legacy is the love he gave so freely and the countless lives he touched simply by being Eric.

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