Aaron Gilstrap

Aaron Clyde Ledford Gilstrap, 67, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at his home in Hamilton with his family and friends at his side.

No services are planned at this time.

Aaron was born Aug. 9, 1955, in Lubbock. He worked in construction when he was a teenager. He joined the Detroit Carpenter’s Union, then the Painters’ Union as a young man.

He started his first business in drywall when he was 21 years old. Later he became a superintendent for a commercial construction company in Austin, overseeing large projects. His portfolio was filled with pictures of simple decks to very large, exquisite decks that he poured his heart and soul into building.

Later he resumed his own business in construction and bee trapping in Hamilton. He was very talented in all phases of construction, woodworking and as a bee wrangler. He enjoyed working with bees, read many books on them and loved to share what he learned with others. He was loved and admired by many and will be missed immensely. He was a lion-hearted Leo!

Aaron is preceded in death by his mother, Lela M. Hanks in 2022; sister Deborah L. Gregory in 2002; adopted father Aaron R. Gilstrap in 2005; great-nephew Colten Smith in 1977; stepgrand-daughter Maddie Hartin in 2021; and stepsister Jamie Hanks in 2021.

He is survived by his son, Brian C. Gilstrap of Hamilton; daughter Kristen N. Gilstrap of Austin; fiancé, Vicki Hartin of Hamilton; father Buddy D. Ledford of Hamilton; stepfather Clifton Hanks of Proctor; brother Don Gilstrap of Brownwood; sister and brother in-law Pam and Bob Sloane of Hamilton; half-brother Rodney Ledford of Louisiana; stepbrother and wife Scott and Lori Hanks of Blanket; stepson and wife Lee & Eva Isaacks; stepdaughter April Rathburn and significant other Jackie Tiner; seven grandchildren he called his own; nieces and nephews Eric Gilstrap, Matthew Stone, Melissa Boyers, Melody Jones and Wendy Jones; and a host of great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Forever in our hearts.