Aaron Mikel Thurber

     Aaron (43) was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, on September 6, 1982, at Magic Valley Medical Center to Jay and Charla Thurber. He passed away at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, on October 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

     Aaron was raised in Gooding, Idaho, alongside his three siblings. He attended Gooding Elementary, Gooding Middle, and Gooding High School. He loved going to school and hated to miss a day when he was sick. Aaron’s favorite part of school was riding the bus, but his favorite class was woodshop with Mr. Perry. A craftsman at heart, he loved building things.

     Aaron had many school aides, but Miss Eva Savage was his favorite; she was his saving grace. He had the ability to make friends easily with his infectious smile and laugh. Aaron could brighten a room just by being in it. Everyone who knew Aaron knew how big his heart was. He graduated in 2003 with his friends. Aaron had many hobbies that kept him busy, including 4-H and being active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He raised and sold pigs with his 4-H group while in school.

     Although he did not like to say goodbye to them, he wanted to keep them forever. His favorite pig was named Pepsi, a nod to his endless love for the sweet, delicious drink. Over the years, Aaron faced several health challenges, but as long as he had his Pepsi, he was okay. Aaron learned the ASL sign for "sick" and used it to the fullest, often telling his mother he was “sick and needed a Pepsi.” Despite enduring several surgeries throughout his life, he would always wake up with a smile, lighting up the room by saying, “I okay.”

     Aaron was deeply loved by many family members, especially his cousins. When he started to talk, their favorite phrase to get him to say was “fire truck.” Due to his thick tongue from Down Syndrome, he couldn’t say his “t’s,” which made it sound unique and endearing. Aaron loved being an uncle, though once the kids got moving, not so much. He was gentle, loving, and enjoyed coloring on the floor with his nieces and nephews.

     He loved attending parties because he loved to dance. One of the many cherished memories is his twerking ability at his brother’s wedding, and his air guitar skills were unmatched. Aaron’s ability to jam out on his air guitar was one in a million; some would say he could take the world title. One Christmas, he received an actual guitar, which he played all the time. He would play along to Garth Brooks songs, thinking he was king, lining up magazines as his audience.

     Aaron loved to travel, with one of his favorite places being Salt Lake City. There, he visited family and spent time with cousins. He loved going to the zoo and seeing all the animals, though he skipped the reptiles altogether. One of his favorite places to visit was Temple Square; when he visited the statue of Jesus, it was clear he knew that was his friend. Aaron would always race to the top to see Him first. When Salt Lake introduced the tram, he thought it was the best thing to ride.

     Aaron loved going to work with his dad. He enjoyed riding the bus and greeting the kids every morning. He considered it his “job” and took it seriously, always making sure to greet the kids with a “hi” and a smile. He was a foodie through and through, though there were a few things he would put his hands up and say, “no tanks.”

     Aaron is survived by his parents, Jay and Charla Thurber; younger sister Amanda (Lelan) Dionne of Butte, Montana, and their children Bradley, Blake, and Raelee; younger brother Joshua (Stephanie) and their children Stella, Kimber, and Piper of West Jordan, Utah; and younger sister Anna (Cody) Hennefer and their children Katie, Hayden and Megan of Gooding, Idaho.

     He was preceded in death by his grandparents Loyd and Louis Thurber and Douglas and Velma Egbert.

     A graveside service will be held on November 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gooding, Idaho.

     Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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