Obituary

Aaron N. Barnard, 33, died from a tragic fall in San Francisco.

Aaron is the son of John Kent Barnard of Holden Village, Wash., and Rebecca Johnson of Gainesville. He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, where he lived until he was 14 years old. He moved with his family to Gainesville in January 1987. He graduated Gainesville High School in 1990. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and Key Club; he was captain of the wrestling team, a member of the cross country team and active in many other school and community organizations.

Aaron graduated Georgia Southern University in 1995 with a BS degree in business. He was a member of the ATO fraternity where he held many leadership positions and developed lifelong friendships.

Through his compassionate personality, Aaron was enthusiastic about life, family and friends. His adventurous spirit led him around the world, from Asia and Russia to Europe and Central and South America. He spent his college summers in Alaska, Ecuador and Yellowstone National Park. After college he lived in Sun Valley, Idaho, and moved to Larkspur, then Mill Valley, Calif., in 1996. He chose to make San Francisco his home in 2000. He loved the city's diverse cultural and political environment and also maintained his love for the outdoors and the proximity to many extraordinary recreational opportunities. His favorite Bay area destination was Tennessee Valley. He had hundreds of friends in the San Francisco area, as well as in Atlanta, across the U.S. and around the world. He was known for his hospitality to friends and strangers to whom he graciously provided shelter, food and friendship. His avocation was winemaking. He was producing his third private label of Sabrosa wine at the time of his death. He was a member of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church.

Aaron worked the last nine years for Labcon USA and was the customer support and account development manager with responsibilities for international sales. His clients were his friends. In the next few months his plans included trips to Asia, Washington, D.C., Salt Lake City and Georgia. His company and co-workers were supporting his efforts to do relief work in New Orleans in December. He loved his work and his co-workers and was honored to be the godfather to several of their children, as well as to the children of his personal friends.

He is survived by his father and mother and his brother, Nathan Barnard. He is also survived by his grandmother, Mrs. James Hopf; uncle, Robert Hopf; aunts, Susan Harper, Cindy Melhorn and Pam Hopf; uncles, Rick, Dean and Denny Barnard; beloved friends, Claire Musngi and Terry Forbord. He also is survived by numerous cousins and the spouses of his aunts and uncles. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Paul R. and Donna Mae Barnard; and his maternal grandfather, James W. Hopf.

A viewing for friends will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005, at Duggan's Funeral Service, San Francisco. A celebration of Aaron's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at The Chapel of Our Lady, Presidio, 45 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established to create permanent memorial to Aaron in San Francisco and to make donations to charities dear to Aaron's heart.

Aaron Barnard Sabrosa Fund, P.O. Box 5971, Petaluma, CA 94955.

Duggan's Funeral Service, San Francisco

The Times, Gainesville, Ga., Oct. 5, 2005
Originally published Wednesday, October 5, 2005