We lost a good one.
Aaron Stokes, along with his 21-year-old son, his nephew, and a close friend perished in an airplane accident. Aaron was a defining influence in my automotive career and someone I respected deeply. Aaron was a relentless advocate for shop owners, a gifted educator, and a leader whose influence shaped countless businesses and lives; including mine.
He invested in people when there was nothing to gain. He gave guidance, clarity, and conviction during moments that mattered. Whether you were in a crowd of hundreds or a one-on-one conversation, he had the rare ability to make it feel personal—like he was speaking directly to you.
His impact is immeasurable. It extends far beyond a stage or classroom, and lives on through the people he mentored and the standards he helped raise across this industry.
Aaron, thank you for the leadership, the generosity, and the belief you poured into this community. One of his iconic sayings- "Fix the owner, Fix the shop!"
You will be deeply missed, the Automotive industry has a void where you stood.
