March 17,1934 – Nov 29, 2005
Noel David Aronson, a former Sweet Home resident and teacher, died Nov. 29, 2005 at his home in Kalispell, Mont., after a battle with cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Aronson was born in Kalispell on March 17, 1934 to A.T. (Ted) and Nell Aronson. After graduating from Flathead High School, he attended and graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. He was then drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, but was later released due to a career-ending injury.
Aronson then was hired as a teacher and baseball coach in The Dalles in 1957, where he built a very successful baseball program.
In 1972, he and his family moved to Ontario, where he became the baseball coach for Treasure Valley Community College. In 1976, he led the Chukars to their first-ever National JUCO World Series appearance.
Aronson finished his teaching and coaching career in Sweet Home, from 1978 to 1986. He was then stricken with multiple sclerosis, forcing an early retirement with the disability in 1987. He moved back to Kalispell and Lakeside, Montana, where he spent the remaining years of his life in his cabin on Flathead Lake.
Survivors include his brother, Sid Aronson (and his wife, Kitty); his children Ed and Jody Aronson, Pam and Greg Park, Kathleen and Ted May, Jennifer and Francis Forquer, and Amy and Chris Miller; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Ian Park.
Private family services were held Saturday, December 3, 2005 in Kalispell, Mont.