Aaron McCleese

AARON CHARLES MCCLEESE

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Aaron Charles McCleese, 27, formerly of W. Portsmouth, OH, died August 1, 2016 while waiting for a heart transplant.

Aaron loved life and lived it to the fullest. His greatest love of all was his beautiful wife, Jessica Harty McCleese who he married Sept. 18, 2010 at a Mustang Car show held at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA surrounded by friends and family from across the United States. Both shared the same love and passion in their interests and spent their time together doing the things they loved.

After high school graduation and going to college in Pensacola FL, Aaron returned to Las Vegas. Aaron held some amazing jobs most guys dreamed of. He was an instructor at a race track, took care of a private car collection and was co-owner of an auto-transport business. Aaron also worked with the Torinio Foundation for children.

Aaron is survived by his parents Charles McCleese and Julie (Schork) McCleese of Las Vegas, NV, formerly of W. Portsmouth OH. Grandmothers, Betty McCleese of Minford OH, Joyce Adkins of W. Portsmouth, OH and Deborah Schork of Frankfort, KY. Aunts, Mrs. Keith (Lorinda) Pelphrey and Mrs. John (Leslee Schork) Bevins of Lucasville OH. Uncles, Jeff Smith and Joe Smith of W.Portsmouth OH and Christopher Schork of Charlottesville VA. Several cousins and many, many friends he made from around the country and around the world who thought of him as part of their family.

Aaron was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Carl J. Schork, Wayne McCleese and an Uncle Carl J. Schork III. Aaron is now with his best friend, Daniel Vogel who was like a brother to him since Kindergarten. The two were nearly inseparable until Daniel's death in March of 2012. We can only smile and imagine at what those two are getting into as they are looking down and watching over us and while his Grandfathers are sitting back proudly urging them into more mischief all the while laughing themselves to tears and no doubt joining in with them. Have fun sweet boy! We love and miss you!

Aaron believed in helping others even before he knew he needed a heart. He believed in organ donation and working with organizations that helped those in need. In lieu of cards and flowers, please donate in Aaron's name to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society at the following address: http://pages.lightthenight.org/snv/LasVegas16/jmccleese

His favorite poem was "The World is Mine," by an unkown author. He quoted it often,

"Today, upon a bus, I saw a girl with golden hair. I envied her, she seemed so gay, and wished I was fair.

When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobbled down the aisle. She had one leg and wore a crutch.

And as she passed…a smile.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him, he seemed so glad.

If I were late, it'd do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue.

He stood and watched the others play. He did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"

He looked ahead without a word. And then I knew he couldn't hear.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears, the world is mine.

With feet take me where I'd go. With eyes to see the sunset's glow. With ears to hear what I'd know.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine."