Aric John Todd

1988 - 2025

Aric John Todd, 37, of New Era, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Aric was born August 13, 1988 in Muskegon, MI to Dan and Cindy Todd of Montague. Aric's passing brings great grief to many people: his wife Katie, his children Emma and Cooper, his parents Dan and Cindy, his siblings and their spouses, Peter (Elizabeth) of Oakland, California, Rachel (David) Hansen of Crofton, MD, and Laura (Douglas) Clark of Lincolnton, NC, and his maternal grandmother, Marilyn McKee. Also, Katie's wonderful parents, Tony and Leslie Mourand, of Delton, MI., who were very supportive in his life; and Katies's sisters Lindsay and Christine (husband Trevor). Aric was loved and enjoyed by his three older siblings, Peter, Rachel and Laura, whose nickname for him was "Bubba".

Aric went to Montague Public School, graduating in 2006. During Aric's youth he pursued his love for sports. He had excellent skills in soccer, then baseball and basketball. It was in baseball that Aric concentrated during high school, primarily as a pitcher. He had a very strong pitching arm, but his mom and dad would have liked him to focus a little less on speed and more on accuracy! Well, what did they know, anyway? Aric also developed the ability to play guitar, which he did well, mostly for his own enjoyment and relaxation, but also with a band for a time. After high school graduation, Aric attended Muskegon Community College for two years, then Grand Valley State University for an additional two years, pursuing a commercial arts education, encouraged by his parents because they recognized his strong natural abilities in visual arts. However, such a career wasn't in the cards for Aric, so he worked for a time in several jobs, including working for Wesco and mowing greens for the Thoroughbred Golf Course.

Soon, however, Aric's exploits with close friend Rob Parker led to exposure to woodworking under the tutelage of Rob's patient dad, Dave Parker. Aric and Rob quickly took off on their own woodworking skills and came up with the idea to tear down dilapidated or collapsed barns (with the owners' permission!) and then recover and sell the reclaimed barn lumber. There was a market for that! The young men quickly moved on from selling the lumber to milling the wood and making flooring and other products, which led to installing the flooring themselves and making furniture, cabinets, wood paneling, etc. Aric continued with that trade for a few years, developing a well-furnished workshop of saws, planers, mills, sanders, etc. That was another new skill, which Aric honed, that of buying and selling equipment, and later, raw material woods. Aric often exhibited the ability to quickly learn new skills.

During his woodworking period, Aric met a gentleman who encouraged him to apply to the IBEW electricians union to become an apprentice electrician. Another big leap in career direction and education! By this time, no one was surprised that Aric excelled in the new education and performed the apprentice work successfully. He advanced rapidly.

Then Aric met his future wife Katie (Katherine) in Grand Rapids. Katie was working as a veterinary technician, and the two began a relationship, culminating in marriage in 2015. Katie had moved to Medford Oregon in 2014 and Aric soon moved there also, transferring his apprenticeship to Oregon. Soon, he earned his license as a journeyman electrician in both Oregon and California. Aric later became a licensed master electrician in Michigan.

Aric and Katie welcomed their daughter Emma while in Oregon, and in 2019 they decided to move back to Michigan to be closer to their families. They soon found a home in New Era that was too beautiful to pass up, and purchased it. That meant a lot of commuting time to their jobs which were in the Grand Rapids area at the time. Aric continued his employment through the IBEW up till the time of his death, working for ICC Electric at the Mead-Johnson Company as a foreman. Aric and Katie worked hard to make many improvements in their home, including building a beautiful garage. In 2020, their son Cooper was born. Emma and Cooper are bright, happy kids. They are a joy. Aric and Katie have been wonderful parents, introducing their kids to animals and sports and other activities, as well as an appreciation for the outdoors.

Aric was a quiet man, but when he spoke he had something worthwhile to say. He was always willing to help out anyone who asked, and Aric could be counted on to bring keen insights and skills into the task. Aric was not a member of a church, but when he was a young boy after hearing the gospel explained by his dad, Aric was profoundly moved to declare, "I want that!", whereupon he prayed to accept Jesus Christ as his savior. Throughout his life, Aric respected the teachings of Jesus, and his character showed that. Aric was a man known for his honesty, diligence, service, and faithfulness.

Memorial gifts to help Aric's wife and kids can be made out to Rothbury Community Church, Memo: Aric Todd Memorial Fund and mailed to Rothbury Community Church, P.O. Box 303, Rothbury, MI, 49452. Donations can be sent electronically to: rothburycommunity.com and navigate to the Aric Todd Memorial Fund. The family deeply appreciates the support.