Aaron Marcus Stratz

Sheri,

 

There was so much I wanted to say in the card, and just could not find the words.  I think about Aaron everyday.  He was without a doubt one of my students who I could never forget!!  His smile and charm, brought a smile to my face every day he was in my class.  Please know you will always be in thoughts and prayers.

 

With love,

Staci Flores

Sheri Stratz

 

Sorry I was unable to attend Aaron's memorial. I'm still in shock that something like this could happen, especially to such a kid that really seemed to enjoy life. I just wanted to let you know that your son made it fun and enjoyable to teach PE. He added energy and motivation that got other kids involved. The weight room just is not the same without him. I'm speaking from the heart when I say, "I'm going to miss him" Sorry for your loss and God Bless.

 

Brandon Futagaki

Sheri,

Gone From My Sight

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side,
and just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.


-Henry Van Dyke

Marc,

We're in Portugal vacationing, and just received the notice. We are both stunned, and in shock. We just can't imagine what you and Sheri must be going through. I don't know the details of Aaron's passing, but both Sylvia and I extend our deepest and most heart felt condolences. As everything seems to have a plan, and is bigger than us mortals, so it is that I can only say that there must have been a good reason for someone so young to be taken.

Please give our love to Sheri and Ben, and find comfort in knowing that you brought a wonderful human being into the world.

We'll get in touch when we return home next week.

Ray

Sheri, I don't know what to say. That is the saddest thing I have ever heard. when Dori passed people used to say to me " I know how you feel".....They didn't. Just like I don't know how hard this must be on you. People also used to say to me that someday the pain will go away and be replaced by all great memories. I didn't believe them, but you know what they were right....I think of Dori and I smile.....not cry. It is a long road but you will get there too.

Sheri, to be very honest, I'm glad I missed your call because I just couldn't hear you say that.

Sheri, please know that my thoughts are with you and please call me with anthing thing I can do, anything!

Sheri I'm so sorry.

hi im allison i saw you at your house at the candle light ceremony, sam, natalie, kathleen and i sorta put it on, i hope you tried to enjoy what u could we did it for him, I just wanted to say how sorry i am. aaron and i have been great friends since 5th grade, even dated, he was my first kiss :) he was in at least one of my classes every year since 6th grade, even the beginning of this year at hbhs in mrs coads gemometry class and mr luunas history class, This is so hard for me i don't know what to do i never thought this would happen, but I can't imagine what your going through. I just wanted to say if you or your family ever needs anything please let me know. I know im only 17 but My cell is ***-**** my house is ***-**** and i live right by shayne. Im working on some stuff with the boys basketball booster club for aaron for the funeral because i started for basketball this year and because i love aaron so much. I ill be there saturday... i sent some pictures if you just! click the file they will open up.

so sorry about everything, you will make it through, stay strong, all of my love

allison sepa

When I received the call Tuesday morning from a mutual friend of ours in was like being punched in the stomach.  I have felt this way ever since.  I cannot image what you and Sheri are feeling.  This is not supposed to happen to good people like you.  You are a class act and always a great father.  We have known each other for ten years now, coaching our boys, supporting them and encouraging them along the way.  Trevor and I were looking at pictures the other night from little league.  The boys played together and we had some great times.  Aaron was always a great kid, easy to coach, and always with a smile on his face.  You and Sheri were always supportive.  I can still hear Sheri cheering on Aaron from the stands in basketball and baseball.  And I remember Sheri helping my daughter when she was hit in the face with a baseball and later that year she broke her arm.  That just stuck in my mind I don’t know why.  I often tell people what a great guy you are.  In my nineteen years in business, you are the only one that actually returned a gift card to me and just appreciated honest help for your clients.  I have been meaning to call you the last few weeks just to say hello, but I knew you were busy with tax season and I figured we would catch up later.  This is not how I had planned.  Being a dad, like you and knowing we are a lot a like, I don’t know how you are handling it.  I just know you have to keep strong, for everyone else.  That is what you have to do.  I do know that if there is anything I can do for you, I would sincerely do it.  If you need any help at your office or to talk or anything.    Please know you and Sheri are in our family prayers.  You have been and always will be.

 

Your friend,

Tom Briggs

Dear Sheri and the Stratz family,

I was so saddened to hear the news of Aaron's death this morning. I have fond memories of him from two years ago in my Freshman English class; he was a nice and good-hearted young man. I have some of his friends in my current Junior English classes (including Katie Jacobs) and it breaks my heart to see how upset they all are right now. I can tell they really love and care for your son.

No words can truly ease the pain of losing a loved one. All I can say is I hope time makes it more bearable, and my thoughts and prayers are with Aaron and your family.

Scott McLaughlin

HBHS English Department