Aaron McRae, a beloved Pinehurst, North Carolina native known to friends and family as “AA,” has passed away, leaving behind a community of people whose lives he touched in countless ways.
McRae grew up in Pinehurst and attended Pinecrest High School, where he was part of the graduating Class of 1997.
Those who knew him during those years remember him as more than just a classmate. He was a football teammate, a friend, and someone who made an impression that lasted decades.
Dedrick Harris, a childhood friend and fellow Class of 97 graduate, shared a heartfelt tribute online after learning of his passing.
“Another classmate has left us. Truly gonna be missed by many but never forgotten. Went to school with him all our life. Football partners as well. Aaron rest easy my friend.” Harris wrote, reflecting the sentiments of many who grew up alongside McRae in the Moore County area.
In his adult life, McRae worked at Empire Distributors and continued to call the Pinehurst area home. People who knew him consistently described him as someone who brought energy and warmth into any space he entered.
A memorial Facebook group titled “Remembering Aaron McRae” was created in his honor. In the group description, friend R. Carson Mataxis captured who McRae was simply and sincerely, describing him as “one of the most gregarious folks you could ever hope to meet” and noting that “he warmed up every room he walked into, and touched all of our lives in a positive way.”
The group was created as a place for friends and family to share photos and memories, a testament to just how many people wanted a space to grieve together and celebrate the life he lived.
Aaron McRae is remembered not just as a former athlete or a coworker, but as someone who made people feel good simply by being present. To those who knew him, that is a legacy worth honoring.
