AARON MARI

1962 - 2025

AARON JAY MARI

Jan. 31, 1962 – Jan. 7, 2025

Aaron Jay Mari passed away after a brief illness in El Centro, California on January 7, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 31, 1962, in Sterling, Colorado, to Clarence John Mari Jr. and Helen Mae Mari. Aaron was married to his high school sweetheart, Lynette Kay Jones on July 17, 1982. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence John Mari Jr. and Helen Mae Mari.

Aaron is survived by his wife, Lynette; son, Lance (Sandie) Mari; grandchildren, Summer Romo and Sonny Mari; and his great-grandchildren, Autumn Remi and Briggs Andrew. He is also survived by his sister, Tina (Mike) Owens; brothers, Robert (Kristie) Mari and Rodney (Jan) Mari; and nieces and nephews, Nicole, Adam, Rachel, Rebecca, and Julia.

Aaron was raised on a farm in Merino, Colorado, where he attended school. He worked on the family farm until graduating in 1980 from Merino High School. He had a passion for football and played varsity during his high school years wearing the numbers 75 and 51, alongside his best friends Dale Van De Weghe and Larry Mertens at Merino High School. As a senior, he was on the varsity wrestling team and won the state championship. After high school, he then accepted a job with Salt Creek Welding, where he became a certified welder in several states across the mid-west. On July 17, 1982, he married his high school sweetheart, Lynette Kay Jones. They traveled throughout Wyoming for work until 1983, when he accepted a job with Valley Dehydrating in Atwood, Colorado. Little did he know he would eventually be transferred to El Centro, California in 1985 to build and operate a hay processing plant. On August 24, 1984, Aaron and Lynette were blessed with the greatest gift of their life, their son, Lance Eugene Mari.

After moving to El Centro, California in April of 1985, he and a co-worker, Curtis Vogel started Southwind Lawn Care. Aaron was shocked when he found out that people actually hired someone to care for their yards as he was always taught that's what kids are for. Valley Dehydrating closed operations in 1987. Aaron continued the business when his partner decided to explore other avenues, Aaron obtained his landscape contractor's license in 1988. Southwind Lawn Care eventually became Sun Landscape Inc., which now has over 30 employees specializing in commercial, public works projects, and state restoration projects. Aaron enjoyed the challenge of every project and had the determination to see these projects completed successfully. He also helped his son Lance start his own water pump and water filtration business in 2006, M & M Pump & Metal Fabrication Inc., which also specializes in agricultural, commercial, and public works projects and state restoration projects.

Aaron had a passion for dirt track racing since he was a young boy helping a neighbor down the road from the family farm work on his stock car. When he moved to California, he met a longtime friend, Keith Smith who got him involved in dirt track racing once again. He drove a factory stock, pro stock, and open wheel modified at the local track and traveled to Arizona when it allowed. He got his son Lance involved in racing when he was 14 years old. Aaron headed up the Southwest Racing Association in the early 2000s at Imperial Valley Speedway, until it was not possible to have racing at our local track. At that time, he and Lance began successfully building, racing, and selling their own race cars, MRT Race Cars. He and Lance decided to travel together and race other series in open-modified racing for a few years. Lance continues to travel and race in different states across the US. Lance is his dad's pride and joy and loved to help him with his race cars and see him succeed.

There will be two Celebration of Life events held in memory of Aaron. One will be in California and the second will be held in Colorado: February 15, 2025, at 4 p.m. at Chevel Farms, 346 Larsen Road Imperial, California 92251. The food and slide show will begin at 5 p.m. In Aaron's memory, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Imperial County, 1585 West Pico Avenue, El Centro, California 92243. April 5, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Riverview Golf Club, 13064 Co Road 370, Sterling, Colorado 80751. The refreshments and slide show will begin at 2 p.m. In Aaron's memory the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice.