There is no way to truly prepare for the loss of a loved one, especially for a young man full of life, love, and laughter. While our hearts may be heavy, we trust in God for all things and lean not on our own understanding.
Eric Alexander Ewing was born in Huntsville, Alabama on April 6th, 1995 to loving parents Phillip Ewing, Sr., and Angela (Burns) Ewing. He was the youngest of three children and was raised in Madison, Alabama. The Ewing family was fully committed to the Christian nurturing of Eric alongside members of the Heritage Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL. This partnership successfully led to Eric accepting Christ as his personal Savior and following in a believer’s baptism at an early age. Later, as the family moved their church membership to The Rock Family Worship Center, Eric was involved in Royal Rangers, received discipleship training, and became a member of the Rock Quest Force, where he served in the children’s ministry for several years.
Eric began his elementary education at Huntsville Christian Academy (HCA), where he excelled in academics and scripture memorization. Along with his older sister Tiffany and brother Phillip Jr., Eric won many awards for his ability to memorize Bible verses. He began to play organized team sports on the HCA basketball team, as well as an AYSO soccer team. Eric participated in the HCA concert band as a percussionist. He also learned to play guitar in his private time, which enriched his love for music overall.
Eric transferred to Westminster Christian Academy (WCA) at the start of sixth grade and made many new lifelong friends. Eric continued to excel academically throughout his time at WCA, as he competed and placed in various school Spelling Bees, Science Fairs, etc. In high school, he became a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the debate team under Dr. Charlie Wingard. His love of law, justice, and debate also followed him post-high school, as he would later support local debate tournaments in the area as a judge whenever time allowed. He was accepted to Vanderbilt’s Program for Talented Youth, allowing him to study film and video editing on the Vanderbilt University campus. While at WCA, Eric played on the Junior Varsity basketball and soccer teams. Soccer would become Eric’s favorite sport, particularly under Coach Tom Keene. He then went on to play Varsity Soccer for two years. Eric also continued his percussionist training at WCA at both the junior high and high school levels. Eric was known for his playful attitude and sense of humor, which made him a favorite among many students and teachers. Teachers especially enjoyed Eric’s enthusiasm and “saucy” sense of humor. Eric graduated from WCA in 2013.
Eric was accepted to several prestigious universities, including Duke, Vanderbilt, and Washington University in St. Louis, but ultimately chose to enroll at Duke University. He graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with minors in both Economics and Computer Science. Eric’s earlier interests were manifested in his collegiate work and extra-curricular activities. He had the opportunity to flex his creative skills through graphic design and music with the Mire Court Student Living Group and Duke’s Last Day of Classes (LDOC) planning team.
After graduation, Eric accepted his first professional position with the What If Media Group and moved to Brooklyn, New York in early 2018 where he worked as a Business Analyst. This position allowed him to use his engineering, computer science, and economics skills to create, analyze, and innovate web-based media for various internet clients.
Eric fought advanced cancer bravely and courageously since the summer of 2019. With the help of doctors from the Vanderbilt Cancer Center in Nashville, TN, and Memorial Sloan Kettering in NY, he was treated and continued with his work and life in Brooklyn, NY for an extended period. He aggressively fought for his life and independence to the end. Though his loved ones were praying and believing for Eric’s full recovery, he passed away due to complications from colon cancer. Eric departed this life on March 5th, 2022, at the Vanderbilt University Hospital while surrounded by loved ones - approximately one month shy of his 27th birthday. While we miss him tremendously and our hearts are heavy, we are at peace knowing that he is with our Father in Heaven. Eric’s short life was made brighter by the love and support of his family, various faith-based life groups (including the ones his sister attended with him), and friends.
Eric is preceded in death by both his paternal grandfather, Thomas D. Ewing, Jr., and maternal grandfather, Johnnie H. Burns.
Eric leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted and loving mother Angela Ewing and father Phillip Ewing, Sr., his brother Phillip Ewing, Jr., his sister Tiffany Ewing; his grandmothers Martyna Ewing (Nashville, TN), and Regina Burns (Brownsville, TN); his Uncles Thomas Ewing, III (Nashville, TN), Lanier (Mari) Ewing (Atlanta, GA), Roland Burns (Brownsville, TN), Herschel Burns (Brownsville, TN), John Burns (Brownsville, TN); his Aunts Evelyn (Ollie Ray) Walker (Memphis, TN), Renee Bowen (Nashville, TN), Kim (Alfonza) Hall (Nashville, TN), Peggy White (Lansing, MI), a very special girlfriend Angelina Rubis (Brooklyn, NY), and numerous other cousins, friends, and colleagues.