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Aaron Thomas Obituary
Aaron was visiting relatives in Traverse City when he was hospitalized at Munson Medical Center June 18. He was under hospice care for the past five weeks.
Born July 28, 1972, in Youngstown, Ohio, Aaron moved to Lake Orion, Mich., from Albuquerque, N.M., in 1982.
Aaron was disabled because of seizures caused by his inoperable brain tumor, but he enjoyed auto mechanics, gardening, coin collecting and cooking, and had a great love for the outdoors, especially camping and fishing. He loved country western music and was an avid fan of NASCAR racing. He had attended Youngstown State University in Ohio.
Aaron always will be remembered for his winning smile, his engaging sense of humor and his absolute and total commitment to and love for his family. But memories of Aaron will be forever defined by his spirit and his valiant struggle to defeat the disease that eventually claimed his life.
Besides his parents, William Thomas Jr. of Traverse City and Karen Meyers of Mount Clemens, he leaves his stepmother, Carol Thomas of Traverse City; his stepfather, David Meyers of Mount Clemens; his beloved sister and best friend, Elizabeth Anne Weaver, and her husband, Anthony, of Macomb Township; his stepsister, Kelly Krason, and her husband, Stephen, of Warren; two nephews, Lucian Weaver and Aiden Weaver and a niece, Zoe Weaver, all of Macomb Township; and his grandmothers, Lena Thomas of Traverse City and Iris Clouser of Shelby Township.
He also leaves his former wife and cherished friend, Heather, with whom he shared most of his adult life, and his physician and good friend, Dr. Geoffrey Barger. It was Dr. Barger's skill that gave Aaron life when others gave up hope. And it was his compassion that helped make Aaron's struggle bearable and gave his life meaning.
Aaron was preceded in death by his grandfathers, William Thomas Sr. of McDonald, Ohio, and Warren F. Clouser of Warren, Ohio, and two uncles, Larry Clouser of Vienna, Ohio, and Thomas Clouser of Salem, Va.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Lane Funeral Chapel in Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Visitation will take place at the funeral home beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions in Aaron's honor to Munson Hospice House or the Wayne State University Brain Tumor Research Fund, Attn: G.R. Barger, M.D., Department of Neurology, 8D-UHC, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201.
Local arrangements were handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
David Roberts
September 11, 2008
I know that these last few years Aaron and I have not been as close as I would have liked but I truly do feel for your loss. My best wishes to the family through these times.
Beverly Cashen
August 22, 2008
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Nate Rousse
August 21, 2008
Bill, Carol and Family, I just wanted to write and let you know that although my encounter with Aaron was brief, his impact on me was immediate. From the moment we encountered each other in the ER, his story humbled me. It was inspiring to see him smiling in his Record Eagle photo. I am truly sorry for your loss and hope you know Aaron inspired many people, including me.
Ralph Cerny
August 18, 2008
Bill, I was saddened to learn that your son had passed away. He and you had endured such a long struggle. While it is likely a relief to not be faced with the continuation of such stress, I am sure that you miss him deeply.
May you find solace in your fond memories.
Sincerely
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Dawn Thierbach
August 14, 2008
Dear Bill, Carol and Elizabeth - Words do not do justice to the sorrow we feel. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and all the family members of Aaron. He was a wonderful person! We are thinking of you. If we can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to telephone.
Your friends, Jeff & Dawn Thierbach
Dave & Pam Larkin
August 13, 2008
Bill, Carol & Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these trying times, may God comfort you and bless you, love ya.
Hugs & Prayers...Pam and Dave
Stacy Norton-Westbrook
August 13, 2008
Dear Bill, Karen, and Elizabeth,
You know my heart is hurting for my long time friend, your son and brother - Aaron (aka Awon). He and I have been friends since he first arrived at Mathews High School in 1987. We were together through the end of his first bout with cancer, through high school graduation, on to college (we had to go to the same one you know). He saved my life by calling 911 when I went into diabetic hypoglycemia - for that alone I will be forever thankful to him. Then the time came where we each went our separate ways but never willing to give up our friendship. The news came that he had a brain tumor and the ups and downs of that dreadful cancer began. I attended his wedding - I was so happy that he found someone special. We kept in contact every couple of months throughout the years and shared our ups and downs, our thrills and our disappointments. I am so thankful that I was able to talk to Aaron one last time in mid-July. The conversation went better then I had expected yet not as good as I had hoped. The Aaron that I new and cared for was different now - the funny, full of life guy was out of energy. His last words to me were "Bye Norton" (he always called me by my maiden last name). That was the hardest good bye because I didn't quite know what to say so I just told him how much his friendship meant to me and I said "Bye Awon".
Today is a very sad day for me because I lost a very, very dear friend of mine. I will always love and cherish our friendship and the lessons that we learned in life both together and apart. May God Bless your family and Aaron in heaven. He will be our forever angel.
Ian and Jennifer Kulasooriya
August 13, 2008
Elizabeth and Tony,
Our thoughts are with you. May your memories of Aaron bring you comfort and peace.
With our deepest sympathy,
Tricia, Dean and Owen Adams
August 13, 2008
Bill and Carol
We're so sorry for your loss, but we are so glad you were able to spend such precious time here with Aaron in Traverse City.
Barbara Agro
August 13, 2008
Liz and Tony we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Whether a expected or unexpected death, it grieves the heart. There are no words that can comfort you right now, but you are blessed to have had him in your life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Uncle Sal and Aunt Barb Agro
Linda Cote
August 13, 2008
Bill and family, so sorry to hear about your son.. My sincere sympathy to all of you.
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