Erik Travell Marquize Holman was born on September 14, 1988, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Linda-Faye Holman-Smith. He was a graduate of Villa Maria Academy in Erie, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn State Behrend University. He later furthered his education at Pendulum Ink, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Erik accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and was a former member of Greater Calvary Full Gospel Church.

Erik was a giver by nature. From his early work with Stairways at Gage House in Erie to his role as a Patient Transporter at Atrium Health CMC Main in Charlotte, he spent his career caring for others. He carried that same spirit of help wherever he went, along with a smile that was impossible not to remember.

Erik's greatest love was music, in every genre. He traveled the country to support artists he'd connected with and to soak in the energy of local shows, whether he was with friends or on his own. His positive energy was infectious and touched everyone he crossed paths with. It started at an early age, from sitting in front of the TV watching music videos, into his first concert at the age of ten, seeing Janet Jackson, and continued right up until his last show, just one hour before his life was taken. In that moment, and always, he felt fulfilled and at home with the love of music.

Our dearest Erik left us way too soon on August 2, 2026. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Clarence Holman and Ella Mae Lambert-Holman, and his step-father, Charles Smith Jr.

Erik is survived by his mother, Linda Holman-Smith; his siblings Antoine Holman Sr. (Sherice), Stephon Holman Sr. (Trista), and Megan Holman (Kirk); nephews and nieces Antoine Holman Jr., Antonio Holman, Stephon Holman Jr., Aaron Holman, Alonzo Holman, Savon Holman, Shamon Holman, Arianna Holman, Adrian Holman, and Kaisley Cottle; a special niece, Brook'Lynn Bowden; 7 great nephews and nieces. We also want to acknowledged Arthur Lee Flemings, for being a positive father figure and role model in Erik's life, and also a host of other family and friends who loved him dearly.