Aug. 29, 1963 – April 19, 2024

Eric Hasmer Counts, 60, a beloved husband, father, ICU nurse, teacher, and friend, ended his journey on this Earth on Friday, April 19.

Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at Greenwood Funeral Home in Memorial Suite A. Celebration of Life will take place 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 2, in Live Oak Chapel at Greenwood, followed by a 1 p.m. interment at Dallas- Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Eric was born Aug. 29, 1963 in Fort Worth to Dr. Hasmer “Jack” and Betty Jo Counts. Eric grew up in Fort Worth and Jermyn, graduating from Jacksboro High School in 1981. A lifelong patriot, Eric enlisted in the US Air Force in 1985 as a Surgical Technician at Carswell Air Force Base. During a surgery on base, Eric met the love of his life, Caroline, whom he married in 1990. Eric pursued his Bachelor’s in Biology from George Mason University in Virginia while Caroline completed her residency at Fort Belvoir.

In 1994, Eric and Caroline moved back to Fort Worth. Eric pursued a Master’s in Biology at Texas Christian University while Caroline joined a family practice clinic. In 1997, they welcomed a baby girl, Samsara. From the beginning, Eric was an exceptionally devoted father.

In 1998, Eric started as a Physics teacher at Southwest High School, where he worked until 2015. From hovercrafts to electrical cord jump rope experiments, his creative lessons inspired students about science. Over the years, his students honored him numerous times as a standout teacher.

2015 marked two huge milestones: Eric became a nurse and donated a kidney to his wife Caroline. Over the next nine years, Eric completed a BSN at UT Arlington, CCRN certification, and ECMO certification. Eric loved working in the Medical City MICU; he and his coworkers received numerous “thank yous” from patients recognizing their high quality of care. As a preceptor, he taught dozens of nursing students.

In every realm of Eric’s life, he went out of his way to uplift others. He cared deeply about military veterans and volunteered with Caroline as medical staff for Snowball Express. Eric loved spending time with his dog Teddy, pickleball with MICU friends, pepperoni pizza with jalapeños, family gatherings, and Sci-Fi shows.

Eric’s passing was sudden and his community misses him dearly. The world feels darker without his infectious smile and goofy dad jokes. Eric’s legacy of kindness persists in the countless lives he impacted-family, friends, students, colleagues, strangers, and critters.

Eric is preceded in death by his parents Betty Josephine and Hasmer “Jack” Counts; grandparents Hasmer “Hap” and Frida Counts, and Dorothy Powell Rodgers; and siblings Sherry Conway, Michael Counts, and Sherri Counts.

Eric is survived by his wife, Caroline Woodland; daughter, Samsara and son-in-law Sebastian Foubert; his mother, Dorothy Counts; siblings, Dianne, Stephen, Chad, James, Linda and their spouses; and cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation or the Til Valhalla Project.

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