Aaron Ryan Pole: ‘He thought very deeply about the world and the people that live in it’

This section includes announcements of important events in our lives–births, graduations, engagements, marriages, and deaths. If you want to share an event with your community, please send a photo and a written piece to [email protected].

Aaron Ryan Pole
DOB: January 18th 2005
DOD: May 11th 2026

With the heaviest sorrow we announce that Aaron Ryan Pole started his journey beyond this physical life on May 11th 2026.

Aaron Ryan was a bright radiant light from the very beginning. He entered this world on January 18, 2005 at 12:15 am to proud parents Paloma and Aaron Pole. He was welcomed by his two older sisters Ariana and Lelencia, and large families on both sides with loving grandparents, aunties, uncles, and so many cousins. From the very beginning he was full of rambunctious energy, doing somersaults in his mom’s stomach, putting knots in his umbilical cord, and walking early at 8 months old, then running! From toddlerhood on he could often be seen running around barefoot sporting a bruise on his forehead, or scraped knees and elbows from his adventures. Aaron Ryan was always such a sweet boy, happy-go-lucky with the most distinctive laugh. His dad loved his little giggle so much to the point that he recorded it and set it as a ringtone. From the moment he was brought home his big sisters had an immense love for him, giving him his long-standing nickname of Cháas, meaning little brother in Karuk. He loved to crawl all over his oldest sister, Ariana. She would get so mad and try and whack him away but at some point it became a game for them and from then on Ariana always tried her best to keep her little brother in line and make sure he was staying safe. For his big sister Lenci, he was and will forever be her memory keeper. Beloved by his cousins, he was the bottom of every dogpile at family gatherings, instigator of nerf gun battles, and a pinata candy enthusiast. As a young man, he continued to make time to play with the little ones, and he and the babies shared a mutual love. Adored by grandparents, aunts, uncles, he was and forever will be all of our baby boy. He was always there to help, from cutting wood for Grandpa, cleaning mushrooms with his uncles, helping his aunties move, preparing for ceremonies and so much more. As for Aaron Ryan, the deep love he had for his parents, sisters, and family was evident, a defining trait, and he was fiercely loyal and protective of them.

He will forever be remembered for his many strengths, interests, quirks, and talents and his sweet humble nature. Aaron Ryan was an animal lover since childhood, and even bottle-fed his dog Max as a puppy. He never encountered a kitten he didn’t pick up and carry around, including Orleans housing strays, and one of the few times he was seen yelling at a dog to chase it off the road to keep it safe. Aaron Ryan developed a love for food and cooking from a young age, and he could be seen frying himself an egg at just five-years-old and sneaking sweet treats any chance he got. As a young adult he boldly tried new recipes and flavor combinations (not all of them were hits), already had some signature dishes such as his delicious homemade garlic vinaigrette dressing, and possessed some keen knife skills for an amateur home chef. He was always willing to teach these skills to his young cousins or cook things he knew would bring joy to his loved ones. This was especially true for his mom who he would buy groceries for and prepare special meals that she requested.

Perhaps most poignant was Aaron Ryan’s deep compassion and huge capacity for love, not only for his family and friends, but the world, and he was such a thoughtful mind and deep thinker. As Aaron Ryan grew into teenhood and young adulthood, he retreated more into himself as teenagers often do, but he also expanded his creative life and worldview. He thought very deeply about the world and the people that live in it, and took it upon himself to learn about culture, politics, music, the arts, and more. Aaron Ryan was never afraid to stand up for what was right, or to stand up for others, whether face-to-face or online. He could often be found in his room, with his Palestinian flag hanging on the wall and wearing his keffiyah scarf, arguing with strangers on the internet regarding the genocide of Palestinian people and the horrific events happening around the world. He had a vast and diverse song rotation inspired by his family including his dad and the Pole family, all talented musicians, and his long drives with his Kúut (Grandpa David) where he received many music history and rhythm theory lessons.

Aaron Ryan attended Trinity Valley Elementary and Orleans Elementary Schools, graduating from OES in 2019, then moving onto Hoopa Valley High School, and finally graduating from Captain John High School in 2023. He worked hard throughout to improve his foundational skills (not always without complaint) thanks to the hard work and lasting influence and impact made by the teachers and staff (including his Kíit Grandma Jan at OES and at home) and he formed some friendships that meant a great deal to him.

In his short adult life, Aaron Ryan had few opportunities for professional ventures, but some standouts include his time at the Osprey Cafe in Willow Creek right out of high school thru the DreamQuest Step Up Program where he started out doing dishwashing and cleaning, and then eventually grew to help with food prep as well. He also worked with his mom at the Trinity River Farms in Willow Creek, and then worked at the Salmon River Outpost store in Somes Bar doing a little bit of everything. However, his first full-time year-round job, and the one he was most proud of and passionate about, was his current position with the Karuk Tribe working for the K1 Fire Crew. He was proud of his work, and felt honored to be learning skills in both wildland firefighting, as well as prescribed and cultural burning. He really enjoyed getting to know and spending time with his K1 crew members, and loved that he also got the chance to travel and work in beautiful new places. They made many memories together in just over a year together, from him accidentally ordering too much pizza and then helping him eat it for days on end, to him doing his first fire pack test wearing his signature Crocs. The family is so grateful that his crew members took him under their wing, and shared happy times together in the last year of his much too short life, including taking him eeling and sharing time with him processing traditional foods off work hours which meant a lot to him and filled him with pride and joy. Yôotva (Thank you).

He was abundantly loved by so many people and left a grand impression on even people he would casually cross paths with. Thank you to every single person that showed him love and care throughout his life. There are so many more things to say, but these are just a few of them…

Aaron Ryan is survived by: his loving parents Paloma and Aaron Pole, and sisters Ariana and Lelencia. His maternal grandparents: David and Jan Tripp. Maternal aunts and uncles: Hector Tripp, Levi Tripp (Karrie), Monica Tripp (Joe Hostler), Emilio Tripp (Tanna), Analisa Tripp (Michael Sanchez), Francisca Tripp (Jacob Ford). His maternal first cousins: Ish-Kaysh Tripp, Rebecca Robinson, Hazel Tripp, Levi Tripp, Violet Tripp, Florence Tripp, Quill Tripp, Tey-met-tret Hostler, Mahiitahaan Hostler, Andalin Hostler, Naa-din-nus Hostler, Tahsa Tripp, Aatishipaan Tripp, Axel Tripp, Akúnvaan Sanchez, David Ugarte, Lilia Ugarte, Lynx Ugarte. His paternal grandparents Virgil Pole and Norma McCardie. Paternal uncles and aunts: Virgil Jr. Pole, Amos Pole (Kimberly), Nathan Pole, Stevie Pole, Spencer Lewis, Oscar Pole, Farron Pole (Jasmin), Mykel Pole. His paternal first cousins: Stephanie Pole, Carmen Marshall, Juliana Pole, Virgil Pole III, Johnny Pole, Margaret Pole, Sequoia Hauck, Damien Scott, Natia Pole, Makailee Scott, Syliss Pole, Makenzie Scott, Lizzy Pole, Kahlil David, Keget Banning, K’oo’y Banning, Kini’ Banning, Collin Pole, Viola Pole. There are far too many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and loved ones to name but know that he held everyone close to his heart.

As we continue to learn how to live without him in this physical, we hold close our memories of our precious boy, our gentle and kind and strong young man. Our lives are forever changed because of him and our loss of him. xa’gya’ne’; Safe travels, Aaron Ryan. ithváaykam ip’áhooti; Keep Moving Forward.