Services for Eugene Soldier Set for Sunday

At the request of the family of U.S. Army soldier, Sgt. Eric Everett Rynearson, the following information is being made available.

Oregon Army Sergeant named Eric E. Rynearson The family has provided the attached biography and photos.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - An Oregon Army Sergeant named Eric E. Rynearson lost his life in a motorcycle crash in Hawaii on January 19th and his family has released a few details about this soldier who hailed from a family with a history of service in the U.S. Army.

1st Lt. Mark Major with the U.S. Army says the crash occurred when he lost control, went off the roadway and collided into a guardrail. Major says the accident is under investigation.

Eric Rynearson was born on August 12th, 1985 in Eugene, Oregon and listed his home of record as Veneta, Oregon.

He entered the Army on July 122th 2003. Eric was assigned to the U.S. Army Recruiting Headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Services have been set for Sunday, January 27th at 1:00 PM at the Musgrove Family Mortuary, 1152 Olive St. in Eugene, Oregon. Interment will immediately follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery, 88558 Oakhill Cemetery Road, Eugene, Oregon 97402.

Eric Rynearson is survived by his mother Katherine Phillips, father Stephen Rynearson and sister Krista Rynearson.

In lei of flowers and gifts, his family requests contributions to "El Mira Campus Life, Care of: Lane County Youth for Christ, 1190 West 7th St, Eugene, Or, 97402" which Erik Rynearson was strongly involved in and supported.

He attended Fern Ridge Middle School and Elmira High School. Eric played Soccer in grade school. He was a runner; cross country & track and field in middle and high school. He loved Biking as a kid, motorcycles & cars when he got older. He also loved technology. He was always reading about something, putting something together or more often taking it apart.

He grew up in the church, went to Fern Ridge Faith center. His faith was very important to him and he loved God. Eric was a student leader in Campus Life and volunteered in the program for several years.

His great grandfather (Henry O Phillips) and grandfather (John M. Phillips) were both in the army. Henry Phillips was a 2nd Lt. Field Artillery in WWI and John Phillips was a 1st Lt. Field artillery in WWII. Eric was always proud of his heritage and family history. He knew he would be in the army from the time he was 6 and he signed up before he was even out of High School.