01/02/2026
LOCAL MAN TO BE HONORED: When Erik Rushford made the decision to become an organ donor while getting his driver’s license as a teenager, his mother Christine remembers the moment clearly.
“He looked at me and said, ‘Should I do that?’” Christine Rushford recalled. “I told him that was a decision that he had to make — he very firmly looked at the lady and said, ‘Yes, definitely.’”
That decision would ultimately impact 143 lives after the 22-year-old Fort Walton Beach resident died by su***de in January 2023 following a lifelong battle with depression.
Now, Erik’s legacy will be celebrated on a national stage when he is honored on the OneLegacy Donate Life float in the 2026 Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.
The Rushford family moved to Fort Walton Beach in 2014, where Erik attended Bruner Middle School and played varsity soccer at Fort Walton Beach High School before graduating from Choctaw High School in 2019. His father served in the Air Force, stationed in the area as a reservist.
Erik was the second of four children and grew up with a calm presence that anchored the busy household. His mother describes him as thoughtful, level-headed and compassionate, quietly supporting those around him.
Academically gifted, Erik pursued computer science at the University of Florida’s School of Engineering. He was a natural teacher who could explain complex concepts in multiple ways.
Erik was diagnosed with depression at age 10, beginning what his mother describes as a long journey with mental health treatment. Despite his challenges, he consistently showed up for family events, friends and community activities, offering support and encouragement whenever needed.
On a Monday in January 2023, Erik was hospitalized at Shands Hospital in Gainesville following a su***de attempt from which he would not recover. When his family arrived, hospital staff reminded them he was a registered organ donor.
Erik’s heart went to a 12-year-old girl in Florida. One of his corneas went to a doctor in the United Arab Emirates, allowing him to continue practicing medicine. In total, Erik made 150 donations of tissue, corneas and major organs, with his tissue donations benefiting 143 people.
“The impact is almost like that’s exactly how it was supposed to be, that’s what Erik was meant for,” Christine said.
For the Rose Bowl Parade, Erik will be represented through a “floragraph” — his picture created from seeds and coffee grounds.
Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/fort-walton-beach-mans-organ-donations-to-be-honored-in-rose-bowl-parade-after-impacting-150-lives/
