Eric Thomas Carver

Eric Thomas Carver, age 64, passed away peacefully, with his wife Ginny by his side at their Bloomfield Hills residence on Sunday, October 18th, 2026, having endured a prolonged illness stemming from a brain tumor and subsequent stroke. Eric was born February 21, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest child of his late parents, William J. Carver, Sr., and Nina (Reynolds) Carver.

Eric and Ginny were together for 23 years, and he always held her hand, opened the door for her, and despite their hectic professions, they always had date nights on Friday and Saturday evenings, and often they would leave work to have an early afternoon dinner together. Most days, he would call her 2 or 3 times during the workday just to check in and take a mental break from his stressful day. He also sent her hundreds of cards, notes and flowers throughout their years together and not just for special occasions, but just because he had such a quiet devotion for her, and she saved all of his notes and cards. Eric was a very kind and thoughtful man. He also loved cars, boats, a Sunday morning drive, and setting up his model train around the Christmas tree.

Eric was a dedicated partner and member at Dykema, Detroit and Bloomfield Hills, with his practice focus on estate planning and litigation, and taxation. Eric held the bar in 4 states, Michigan, Illinois, Florida and New York. Eric's gift was his voice - he was an expert orator, having given hundreds of presentations and lectures throughout his career. He also gave of his time and expertise as an adjunct professor teaching law, estate planning, at 5 universities - Wayne State University Law School, Oakland University School of Business Administration, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and Ave Maria School of Law. He also served in multiple positions on the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan, Detroit from 2005-2013. Prior to Dykema, he was a tax consultant for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Group, and served in multiple administrative and legislative capacities for the late United States Senator Carl Levin.

Eric is survived by his beloved wife Virginia F. Valliere, brother William J. (Debbie) Carver Jr, sister Tara (Allan) Gosi, sister Holly (Stephen) Pezalski, brother Mark Carver, sister Nina (the late Walter) Carver-Hardiewich; Uncle of Melissa (Alan) Simons, Amanda Carver, William J. (Julie) Carver III, Rachel (Michael) Maxwell, Scott (Michele) Goci, Stephen (Genieve) Pezalski, and Tessa (Randy) Hardiewich-Smith, and their children, A.J., Benjamin, Paul, Kaitlyn, Logan, Harper, George, Carver, and Hugh.

A private Memorial luncheon will be held on November 3rd, 2026, at the Detroit Athletic Club to honor and celebrate Eric's life.