Aaron Styre

AARON JAMES "AJ" STYRE

Cedar Rapids

Aaron James "AJ" Styre, 43, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at his home Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Visitation: 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Services will begin at 2 p.m. at the funeral home by Father Chris Podhajsky.

Survivors include his son, Brenden James Styre; his mother, Sandi Wright (Barry) Richmond of Cedar Rapids; his father, Jon M. (Dorothy) Styre of Robins; his brother, Edward (Nicole) Styre of Austin, Texas; his grandfather, Edward Wright of Ottumwa; two nephews, Jacob Styre and Joshua Styre, and one niece, Jonna Styre, all of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and many aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles and cousins. Also surviving are many friends and Brenden's mother, Stephanie.

He was preceded in death by his older brother, Jon Arnold "Arnie" Styre (2014); his maternal grandmother, Betty Hart Wright; paternal grandparents, Robert and Gertrude Styre; and two uncles, Jan and Gary Styre.

Aaron was born May 22, 1972, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He graduated in 1990 from Kennedy High School, where he played football (Go Cougars). Aaron then attended Coe College, where he also played football (Go KoHawks) aka Chief Thunder Rod. He graduated from Mississippi Firefighting Academy in Hattiesburg and had recently received his fire science degree and EMT certificate from Kirkwood Community College. He was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and later in the U.S. Army.

Aaron served as a firefighter for 11 years in Hattiesburg, Miss. In 2011, he and Brenden moved to Cedar Rapids, where he worked with Area Ambulance Services and as a Hiawatha volunteer firefighter. He was currently working as a safety specialist for Captain Clean in Cedar Rapids. Aaron loved being a firefighter and recently said how he enjoyed his safety position.

His love for football never ended. He expressed that by encouraging Brenden to play the sport and by faithfully watching his favorite team, Notre Dame ("Go Fighting Irish"). His knowledge and experience of football will carry on through his sweet son, Brenden, who loves the game as much as his dad did. Brenden and his father had a great bond which will go on forever. He took his son to Notre Dame football camp several times.

Aaron liked to cook, especially using the crockpot. He often called his mom to ask how to cook certain things. He loved holiday food and was trying to perfect his favorite pumpkin pie and homemade noodles.

Occasionally Aaron would throw a fishing line in the lake. Most of the time, all he brought out of the water was his hook, line and sinker.

His favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas, but he liked them all. He decorated amazingly for Halloween and dressed for the occasion. At Christmas time, every room had a touch of "Christmas Wonders"; his tree always was beautiful and a manger scene always in sight. Christmas Eve was midnight church service. Aaron grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He recently began attending Immaculate Conception and was once again turning to the Lord.

Kids looked up to Aaron. He was a big ole teddy bear with a soft heart. He just wanted to love and be loved. He was an honest man, who was as a child, always telling on himself.

Aaron will be remembered by many for years to come. He left an impression on all of our hearts.

Here's a "salute" to you, our big, talented, handsome, father, son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. "All our love, rest in peace and in the arms of Jesus, Aaron James."

Please share a memory of Aaron at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.