On Oct. 17 Eric Edward Ruggles suddenly left his family and friends and went home to be with his creator.

Eric was born in Anaheim, Calif., on July 25, 1983 to two very proud parents, Glenn and Toni Ruggles. Eric began his life with his mom and dad and soon came his first brother Sean. He was so excited to have a little brother to play with at home. The years went fast and when Eric was 8 years old his new brother Kyle came home. Eric loved both of his brothers from the moment they were brought home.

In 1997 Eric moved to Lake Havasu City with his mom and two brothers. Eric loved helping his mom with her canvas business that she had in Lake Havasu City. He attended schools in Lake Havasu City all the way until he started high school at Lake Havasu High in the fall of 1998. This is when Eric really began to live life to the fullest and make every day the best day it could be. He always made sure he went to school with a smile and that every person he talked to had one as well.

In 1999 Eric moved to Kingman with his mom, stepdad, Greg and his two brothers, Sean and Kyle. Eric went to Kingman High School, where he immediately met some great friends. During his junior and senior years, Eric was very involved in the both honor choirs and Chef’s Club. Singing was one of Eric’s many talents. He could light up an entire room with the sound of his amazing voice. During his years with the choir, Eric created some of his best high school memories. In 2002, Eric graduated from Kingman High School with some of the best friends he ever had.

After Eric graduated high school, he moved to Orange County, Calif., to live with his grandmother. This is where he began his career in public safety with Knott’s Berry Farm. While at Knott’s, Eric again touched so many lives with his big smile, loving personality, and all around life loving attitude. While Eric was in California, he was close to his dad, Glenn, and stepmom, Claris, as well as his two stepbrothers, Jeff and Scott. Family and friends meant the world to Eric because he loved each person he knew in their own special way.

In the fall of 2004, Eric moved back to Kingman where he became a detention officer for the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. Eric had finally found his home with MCSO and life back in Kingman. Eric worked through the ranks and became a Corporal with the Jail Division of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

For the past five years, Eric worked closely with everyone in all levels of law enforcement in Mohave County. Eric was always happy to go the extra mile for his work and anyone who worked with him. He was very appreciated and respected by the entire MCSO.

Eric is survived by his parents; Toni and Greg Goda, of Louviers, Colo., Glenn and Claris Ruggles, of Orange, Calif.; his siblings, Sean and Christy Ruggles with nephew Emile Ruggles, of Glendale, Calif., Kyle Ruggles, of Louviers, Colo., Jeff and Sarah Groveunder with nephew Gavin Groveunder, of Long Beach, Calif., and Scott and Sarah Groveunder, of Long Beach, Calif. Eric is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Outside of his immediate family, Eric had a very large extended family from his closest best friends to people he had just met and touched their lives in his very special way.

Eric had a very short-lived life, but during all 26 years of it he lived every day as if it was his last. He was the life of every room, the light of every conversation, and the loving heart to anyone who needed a friend or just someone to talk to. Eric was very passionate about life and made it a point to make everyone around him love life as much as he did. He will be missed by his parents, his siblings, his family and his large group of friends who he called family. When you remember Eric, remember that life can be short and should never be taken for granted and should be lived as if each day is your last one, with the ones you love and don’t forget to laugh every moment you can.

Eric will be laid to rest in Lake Havasu City on Friday. His Celebration of Life will be held at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu City beginning at 12 p.m. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service with a procession from Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home to the Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens.

Immediately following the graveside service, will be a Celebration of Life for Eric at the Lake Havasu Aquatic Center. All services are open to all.

In lieu of flowers and for those who wish to help the family, an account has been set up at Compass Bank. All donations can be made to the “In Memory of Eric Ruggles” account.

Condolences and thoughts can be made to his family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.