Eraldo Barbosa

Eraldo Jose Barbosa
September 17, 1951 – July 15, 2025
Our beloved husband, father, and grandpa, Eraldo Jose Barbosa, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025. He was 73 years old.
Eraldo was born on September 17, 1951, in Piracicaba, Brazil. As a teenager, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1980, he left Brazil and came to the United States, driven by a desire to be closer to his church and to pursue his education. It was a bold and hopeful move that opened a new chapter in his life.
In 1984, while working at a nursing home, he met Erica. He worked in laundry and maintenance, she was a nurse supervisor—and he was instantly drawn to her big hair and beautiful South African accent. They fell in love, and on August 27, 1985, they were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Together, they built a life full of love, learning, and laughter. They had three children—Jeffrey (1986), Jason (1990), and Julie (1995)—and Eraldo was a devoted and playful father. He worked hard to provide for his family, and although he didn’t finish his degree in graphic design—something he always wished he had—he encouraged us to pursue our education.
Eraldo enjoyed good health for much of his life, until 2015 when he was diagnosed with advanced liver disease. In 2019, he received the incredible gift of a liver transplant, which gave him more time with his family. In 2021, he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a rare condition that gradually affected his mobility, memory, and independence. Eraldo was on hospice care for three years and we are so grateful to our hospice team—Margaret RN, Heather CNA, and David MSW—for their compassionate care. And to our friends, neighbors, and church family: thank you for showing up, offering help, and helping us feel less alone while our extended family scattered across the world. Your kindness has meant everything.
Eraldo was creative, passionate, and full of personality. He loved to paint and draw; his appreciation for art and design ran deep. He was also a true movie buff—our childhood was filled with classic musicals like The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Oklahoma. Even later in life, he looked forward to new movie releases and never missed the Oscars. He also enjoyed playing the piano and had a love for music from many genres, listening to music from the Beatles and CCR, to Andrea Bocelli, Micheal Buble, Sara Brightman and Josh Groban.
One of the greatest gifts our dad gave us was his love for travel and his Brazilian heritage. He wanted us to know where we came from. Because of him, we had a childhood full of unique experiences—visiting Brazil, spending time with extended family and lifelong friends, learning some of the language, the culture, and most importantly the food. We grew up eating pao de queijo, flan, brigadeiro’s and drinking Guarana. He was proud of his roots, and he shared that pride with us in every way he could.
He also had a real gift in the kitchen—his flan was legendary, his Brazilian rice perfect, and his steak unforgettable. He loved gathering people together to eat, laugh, and play. Our home was full of life: backyard BBQs, mountain picnics, soccer on TV, and heated card games with our dear friends and neighbors, the Riveras. He loved to play, tease, and make people laugh—even if it got him into a little trouble now and then.
Eraldo is proceeded in death by his mother Dirce, his father Jose and his sister Lurdes. He is survived by his wife Erica (Crockett), his sons Jeffrey and Jason, and his daughter Julie (Porter) and six beautiful grandchildren.
We’ll celebrate his life on Monday, July 21st 2025 at the Springville West Stake building. The viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral at 11:00 a.m. His internment will follow at the Springville Historic Cemetery.
Dad, thank you for giving us a unique childhood filled with culture, music and laughter. We’ll carry your stories, your recipes, your music, and your mischief with us always. We love you and miss you more than words can say.
Depois de tanta luta, você finalmente voltou para casa. Agora você está em paz. Te amamos, pai — para sempre em nossos corações.
Funeral services entrusted to Spring Creek Mortuary.