October 15, 2020, By Hon. Bro. Ron Carter for PBSWest.org

Obituary of the Bro. Gregory Aarons, Sr.
Sunrise: December 21, 1961 | Sunset: October 15, 2020
St. Petersburg, FL

Bro. Gregory Pierre Aarons, Sr., was born on December 24, 1961, in Pensacola, FL, to U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Charles and Regina Aarons. Bro. Gregory was the second of six children born of this loving union. Bro. Gregory graduated from Pacific High School in 1979 and served with honor in the U.S. Air Force Reserve while attending the California State University, San Bernardino.

While attending college Bro. Gregory pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Mu Xi Chapter. Bro. Gregory served his beloved Fraternity in a variety of roles in the Fraternity’s Western Region. Three of the most notable fraternal service roles were (1) his tenure as the Washington State Director, (2) two terms as the First Vice Regional Director, and subsequently (3) as the 27th Western Region Director Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1999-2002). Bro. Gregory served Phi Beta Sigma with honor, distinction, professionalism and always demonstrated genuine love and respect for his Brothers and Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Bro. Aarons maintained an active and financial membership throughout his fraternal association beginning with Mu Xi Chapter, the Epsilon Epsilon Sigma Chapter and ultimately with the Iota Alpha Sigma Chapter for the remainder of his life.

Bro. Aarons met and married the love of his life, Deborah, on September 14, 1985. During this life journey, the Aarons Family relocated several times as the careers of Bro. Greg and Deborah evolved. The family resided in Long Beach and San Jose, CA, the states of Washington and Arizona, and finally settling in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Employed as sales executive by many media companies such as The Sun Newspaper, The Press-Telegram, The Mercury News, and The Tampa Tribute, Bro. Gregory enjoyed a successful and rewarding career. Bro. Gregory retired from th AutoTrader in 2017.

Bro. Gregory is survived by his father, Charles Aarons, and siblings, Terri (Curtis), Bruce, Dwight, Terrilyn(Phreddie), and Tangela. Our Father, the Lord Our God, blessed Gregory and Deborah’s union with four exceptional children, Gregory, Jr., (Vanessa), Carl, Joshua, Sr., and Shanae Aarons. The Lord further blessed them again with six beautiful grandchildren: Aden, Joshua, Jr., Gabrielle, Victoria, Kameron, and Gregory III. Bro. Gregory has a host of extended family, friends, and close fraternity brothers, who will deeply miss him. He was an active and engaged father who coached and mentored many young and not-so-young people. He was an effective and caring counselor and helped to lead those he counseled in the right direction to find their life’s purpose.

Bro. Aarons was an active member of New Beginnings Community Church in St. Petersburg, FL. He wore several hats, including Youth Director, Sound, and Photography Engineer, Sunday School Teacher and was a member of the Usher Board. Bro. Gregory always fought for what was right and fair. He loved his family with his entire being and would be happy to share the details of how unique each child was. Bro. Gregory was willing to offer prayers for you, even when he was not feeling well.

He fought the good fight while here on Earth until God was ready for him to be promoted to Heaven on October 15, 2020, at 9:58 AM. We - his family and those that became family - believe he received his wings and that he heard, “Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant!” as the Lord, Our Father God welcomed him to rest in the peace and power of his loving and eternal Presence. Rest well, dear Brother; Father God knows when we shall meet again and be with him upon that special day!