I first met Aaron in 2009 at the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, where we worked together for 16 years. During that time, we became very close. It was difficult not to, since we shared an office throughout those years. We worked side by side managing the datacenter and network for the court, and we leaned on each other through both challenging and everyday moments. Having worked in many IT departments before Aaron hired me at the Fourth Circuit, I can say without hesitation that his skills and professionalism were truly second to none.
Beyond our professional relationship, I got to know the personal side of Aaron. We talked about our lives every day. He was a very organized and serious person, but also hilariously funny! We would often find ourselves laughing uncontrollably in the office. It was funny how we could share a laugh and then, almost instantly, he’d turn and say, “Okay, let’s get back to work,” and we would.
Aaron often shared his love for his family with me. He adored his wife, Nelie, and spoke about her with a smile. He loved their time together and told stories of things they did together. His love for his sons was evident too; I felt like I watched them grow up through his stories—from school days to adulthood. He also spoke fondly of his parents, brother, and extended family. Family was very important to him—he wanted them to feel secure and cared for.
Aaron was a dedicated husband and father, and I had the privilege of witnessing that every day. He was selfless, always putting his family’s needs before his own, without hesitation. I will miss Aaron. He taught me a lot, not just about managing technology, but also about commitment and caring for those you love. He set a good example in everything he did. Joshua and Jakob, you can be very proud of the life your father lived.