Aaron Joseph Earnhardt, 42, of Pleasant Hope, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017, in Columbia University Hospital, Columbia, Missouri. He was born on September 8, 1975, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Robert Jack and Deborah Susan (Richesin) Earnhardt.

Aaron grew up in Pleasant Hope, Missouri, and graduated from Pleasant Hope High School. He was a loving son, brother, and friend to many. He was a jack of all trades and a master of each. He took pride in his work at Porto Cima Golf Club. He was a meticulous craftsman and loved precision in his work. He had a creative, intelligent, and mechanical mind. His imagination was always active, innovating and inventing. Aaron loved adventure and always lived life to the fullest. He was in awe of nature and wanted to explore everything the world had to offer.

Aaron was most loved for his incredible humor and warmth. His natural charisma lit up every room he entered. He embodied happiness. Aaron never met a stranger. He knew how to make anyone laugh and feel loved. His dogs were family to him. His heart was full of kindness and he cared profoundly about the people and animals he loved. His contagious smile will live forever in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.

Aaron was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Barbara "Boots" Richesin and his paternal grandparents, Jack and Thelma Earnhardt.

He is survived by his parents, Bob and Debbie; twin brother Adam and wife Jaime; older brother Jason and wife Michelle; younger brother Michael and fiancée Beth; sister Sarah Earnhardt Vizcaya and husband Carlos; grandfather Sam Richesin; niece Brittney and wife Sammi; and nephews Braxton and Kenstin.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 in the evening on Thursday, December 14 , at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock on Friday morning, December 15 , at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with the Reverend Kevin Cawley officiating.

Burial will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dogwood Animal Shelter in Lake of the Ozarks, or Castaway Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) in Springfield.