Staff Sgt. Aaron James "AGE" Taylor, 27, died from combat injuries while serving his country in Afghanistan Friday Oct. 9, 2009.
Aaron was born in Duluth, March 26, 1982 and raised in Bovey, Minn.
He graduated with honors in 2000 from Greenway High School and was active in numerous school activities including Pep Band, Jazz Band, Drama, manager of the Greenway Hockey Team, wrestling team, winner of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for his trumpet playing. He also attended Hibbing Community College in 2001 studying law enforcement.
Aaron enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in February 2002 and completed basic training at Camp Pendleton, California. He served in Rota, Spain for two years with the fleet anti-terrorism support team. He spent time in Viet Nam to assist with forensic anthropologists in recovery of American soldier remains. Aaron's next assignment was at Eglund Air Force Base, Florida for training in Explosive Ordinance Disposal or E.O.D and then transferred to Okinawa Japan and stationed at Kadena Air Force Base. While in Okinawa he was deployed to Iraq and stationed at Alasad Air Base. Aaron also trained with the FBI and Secret Service in E.O.D. while stationed stateside and met his significant other Stephanie Jacobowitz during that time. This past February Aaron was assigned to assist the Secret Service security detail during President Obama's visit to Chicago. While stationed again in Camp Pendleton he was deployed in September 2009 to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan where he was serving in Operation Enduring Freedom with the Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 E.O.D.
Aaron could light up a room with his smile and spontaneous wit. He was artistic, musically talented and excelled in anything mechanical or electronic. He was a warrior with a gentle soul.
Aaron was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Douglas Taylor and maternal grandmother, Barbara Wood.
Survivors include his father, Clifford (Cindy); brother, Kyle; paternal grandmother, Adeline Taylor; significant other, Stephanie Jacobowitz; step father, Dick (Lynn) Anderson; special friend, Shannon Zidarich and her parents, Mike and Ella and sister, Becky; step grandparents, Ray and Ida Quimby; mother, Briana Anderson and half sister Bailey Mason; maternal great grandmother, Irene Youderin, maternal step grandfather, William Wood and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and his dog, Walnut.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 in Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Highway in Hermantown, MN with pastor Todd Block of Triumphant Life Church of Bovey, Minn., officiating. Visitation is Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Sunrise Funeral Home. Aaron is accompanied by the active Marine Honor Guard who will provide grave side military honors. Burial will be at the veterans section of Sunrise Memorial Cemetery.
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