Earll Leo Aaron

Our community lost a wonderful man and Heaven gained a star as Earl Leo Aaron, 68, of Buchanan, Va., slipped from the bonds of this world as he was surrounded by his loving family and awoke in his Heavenly Home. He rejoins his parents, Edward James and Claudie Seay Aaron; brother, Kenneth Aaron; brother-in-law, Herbert Fitzgerald; sister-inlaw, June Aaron; and nephew, Doug Aaron.
Leo was born and raised in Buchanan and was a member of the last graduating class of Buchanan High School in 1959. He then joined the United States Air Force, retiring in 1981 as a Master Sergeant after 22 years service. He later worked in the insurance field, was a Rawleigh Representative, and retired once more as a Funeral Assistant in 2007 from Botetourt Funeral Homes to spend more time with his wife, Liz and his grandchildren.
Leo was a founding member of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Buchanan and a devoted servant of God. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
After retiring from the Air Force he coached several years of youth baseball, girls slow-pitched softball and basketball. He coached one softball team all the way to the World Series in Texas. Leo was an avid fan of the sports teams of James River High School.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Elizabeth Craig Aaron; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Sandra M. Aaron, of Eagle Rock; daughter, Laura Aaron Terbeek, of Hampstead, N.C.; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Linnette Dudley, of Fincastle; daughters and son-in-law, Patty Dudley, Karen and Bobby Bierer, and Rhonda Dudley, all of Buchanan; grandchildren, Sean Aaron, Brianne Aaron Terbeek Brown, and husband, Zach, Amanda Paige Terbeek, Travis Bierer and wife, Pam, Dustin Moore, Brandon Moore, Chastity and Rebecca Dudley; great-grandson, Walker Bierer; sister, Margaret A. Fitzgerald, of Waynesboro; brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Peggy Aaron, of Buchanan, Raymond and Penny Aaron, of Eagle Rock, and Bobby Aaron, of Buchanan; and mother of Steve and Laura, Claudia Aaron-Sneed.
The family would like to thank Dr. Shertz, Dr. Heath, 10th floor Staff of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Gentle Shepherd Hospice, and Carrington Place for their love and care of Leo.
His funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009, in the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Homes with the Rev. Bud Roth and the Rev. Randy Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Springwood Baptist Church Cemetery with Full Military Honors provided by the Honor Guard Detail of SeymourJohnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
Those wishing to make a contribution please consider the American Cancer Society, 2840 Electric Road, Suite 106-A, Roanoke, Va. 24018.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan, Va., 540-254-3000.