Aaron "Bud" Gray Essic

Aaron Gray Essic, 85, passed away Saturday July 25, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He fought a long hard battle with COPD but is now in no more pain.

Aaron was born October 9,1940 in Winston Salem to Eran Charles Essic and Lillian (Messick) Essic. While attending Gray High School, he met the love of his life, Patty. They enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 64 years.

Aaron wore many hats throughout his life. He was a carpenter, craftsman, and pet shop owner. He also loved to restore and sell antique furniture. He was known to have the correct tool for everything (and knew exactly where every tool was). He had the natural knowledge of how to create or fix anything.

Aaron went by many names. He was Aaron, Bud, or Squirrel, depending on who you were. But the names he will be most remembered and loved for are husband, dad, and pawpaw. There was nothing more important to him than helping his family. Anytime he would visit someone, they would always say … “well, while you’re here…” and he would always be glad to help.

As a husband to Patty, he always said “it was love at first sight”, and the love never faded. They were always together. If you saw one, you always saw the other. They enjoyed a beautiful life together, traveling with their children in the CruiseAir camper and on their Gold Wing motorcycle. They had so many wonderful adventures together. Their winters spent in Florida were some of their most wonderful moments. They were blessed to have so much time to create so many memories.

As a dad, we could not have asked for a better one. He showed us strength, integrity, selflessness, and most of all, the security of knowing we were loved through every season of our lives. He helped build our homes and showed us what family truly meant. We had such a wonderful childhood growing up on a farm, camping, visiting family, and going to the lake with friends. We will cherish those memories forever.

I think PawPaw may have been his favorite name. His eyes lit up at the sight of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was so proud of them and of their accomplishments. He loved them so much and they loved him.

Aaron was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry; and niece, Angie. Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Patty; son, Charlie and daughter-in-love Glenda; daughter, Lisa Allen; four grandchildren, Travis Essic, Krysta Beauregard (Michael), Ryan Allen, and Ashley Fleshman (Greg); eight great-grandchildren, Kolton Beauregard, Kora Beauregard, Cadence Allen, Emmy Allen, Rockwell Allen, Noah Fleshman, Zack Fleshman, and Issac Fleshman.

Special family to Aaron included Lindsay Essic (Sarah).

His mischievous grin and funny remarks will live on with his family and bring us happy memories to talk about. But most of all his love for his wife, family, and friends will be felt and remembered fondly. We love you and our hearts will forever feel your void, but most of all, we will feel your love for us.

Aaron requested no formal service. A celebration of life will be planned in the future.