Arvid (Ardie) Lessley Aronson, 70, Waitsburg, passed away on December 16, 2023, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, after suffering a stroke.

Ardie was born on April 28, 1954, to Clarice Cleveland-Aronson and Oscar Junior Aronson in Greenbush, Minnesota. He was one of eight children - Joseph, Marvin, Donald, Arvid, LeeAnn, Elaine, Shelly, and Troy.

In 1957, the family moved from Minnesota to Spokane, Washington, where he attended grade school. Later, the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington, and he attended Walla Walla High School. During this time, he worked with his father, Oscar, who owned the Shell gas station on Third and Rose Street in Walla Walla. All the boys, Ardie, Joseph, Marvin, and Troy worked there. This is where Ardie became a 'Jack of all Trades' and gained some serious mechanical skills. He learned to fix all kinds of autos and trucks and to pump gas, clean windshields, change oil, air-up tires, and whatever he could do to help. However, his joy was working on classic and vintage vehicles, and they became a life-long hobby.

In 1972, Ardie married Joan Gaines of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. They had two children, Leslie and Kyle Aronson. The couple divorced in 1988. Years later, he married Kelly Mings from Dayton, Washington. They had one son, Nathan Aronson, and later divorced.

After high school, Ardie worked at least 40 years in the field as a driller for Boart Longyear and Ruen Drilling. He traveled extensively throughout the United States (and once in Peru), drilling for water and minerals.

After retirement, Ardie settled in Waitsburg, Washington, near his family, and he began to buy a few old cars to fix up and sell. His favorite times were working on classic cars and trucks, attending local car shows, and sharing a cold beer with his buddies at Herb's place. He spent a lot of time at the shop with his brothers, Marvin and Troy, and his beloved dogs - Maggie and Charlie, who went everywhere with him. On warm days, you could find him on the patio at his good friend, Jerry Gales' house, barbecuing some steaks for his little dogs. Sadly, he lost Charlie just a few weeks before his death, but God willing, they are together once again.

He is survived by brothers Joseph Aronson (Lola), Marvin Aronson, and Troy Aronson and sisters LeeAnn Aronson-Kendall (Jim), Shelly Aronson-Done (Brian), and his little dog, Maggie. He also has three grandchildren in the United Kingdom, who he visited through FaceTime. We hope they know their Grandpa Ardie was a kind and generous man to his family and friends. He was a great son, brother, father, uncle and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald Aronson, sister Elaine Aronson-Hoikka, and his sister-in-law, Nancy Aronson. And, of course, Charlie.

To honor Ardie's memory, we are holding a celebration of his life on January 21, 2024, at 2 p.m. in the Town Hall in Waitsburg. This will be a time to share a meal, sit with some friends, and share some stories. Please come, we'd love to see you.