Aaron "Aj" James Styre
May 22, 1972 — March 2, 2016
Aaron James “AJ” Styre, 43, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at his home Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Visitation: 1 – 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, 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; one niece, Jonna Styre, all of Port St. Lucie, Florida; 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; two uncles, Jan and Gary Styre.
Aaron was born May 22, 1972, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1990 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 Hattiesberg and had recently received his Fire Science Degree and EMT Certificate from Kirkwood Community College. He was proud to serve his country in the United States Marine Corp and later in the United States Army.
Aaron served as a firefighter for 11 years in Hattiesberg, Mississippi. 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 crock pot. 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 was always beautiful and a manger scene always in sight. Christmas Eve was midnight Church service. Aaron grew up in the 7th Day Adventist Church. He recently began attending Immaculate Conception Church 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.”
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; one niece, Jonna Styre, all of Port St. Lucie, Florida; 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; two uncles, Jan and Gary Styre.
Aaron was born May 22, 1972, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1990 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 Hattiesberg and had recently received his Fire Science Degree and EMT Certificate from Kirkwood Community College. He was proud to serve his country in the United States Marine Corp and later in the United States Army.
Aaron served as a firefighter for 11 years in Hattiesberg, Mississippi. 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 crock pot. 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 was always beautiful and a manger scene always in sight. Christmas Eve was midnight Church service. Aaron grew up in the 7th Day Adventist Church. He recently began attending Immaculate Conception Church 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.”
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