Aaron Leo Gray (Rutten)

Aaron Leo Gray (Rutten), July 25, 1986 - June 24, 2024, passed away at age 37 in his home in Sammamish, WA. He was born in Brawley, CA and grew up in El Centro, CA..

In El Centro, he participated from elementary through high school in the school orchestra as a violinist. He was a graduate of Southwest High school in El Centro. Aaron attended University of California Los Angeles, completing degrees in Cognitive Science and Philosophy. Later, at the University of Alaska Anchorage he completed his Master's Degree in Project Management. While living in Anchorage, Alaska, he played in the Anchorage Symphony. After college he resided in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington. While living in Washington he also became a licensed therapeutic masseuse and started a business.

On January 7, 2017 Aaron married, James Gray in Kihei, Maui. They resided in Sammamish, WA. Aaron continued with his passion for playing violin and piano. He was fortunate to travel often to Hawaii and many places abroad. He became passionate about bodybuilding and competed in his first international competition. He loved photography and decorating, which were reflections of his personality and artistic expressions. Aaron gave his full self to everything he did, setting out to always be his personal best.

Aaron is survived by his spouse, James Gray, his parents, Randy and Kathleen Rutten, his sister, Kiana Rutten, nephews, Landon Rutten and Andrew Lopez, and beloved dog Luna.

Close family and friends honored Aaron with a Celebration of Life on July 13, 2024 at Beaver Lake Lodge (King County), Sammamish, WA.. A memorial bench has been established at Beaver Lake Park.

As a philosophy major Aaron loved Plato- "Of all the things which a man has, next to the Gods, his soul is the most divine and most truly his own." Aaron was truly living his most authentic self and loved by so many in his life. His beautiful smile and kind heart will be in our hearts forever.