Aaron Bernard Melbourne Jr., also known as “Little Ronnie,” “Turtle” and “Baby Ah” was born on September 10, 1968 to Ardenia Dillard Melbourne and the late Aaron B. Melbourne Sr. Aaron was bright and inquisitive at a very young age. His political cartoon was featured in the local paper and worked each summer during high school in the high step program at Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ with top engineers. He was an avid athlete, playing both football and baseball for the Red Bank Buccaneers.
After high school he started at Moorehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia but later earned a Bachelors degree in History at Oglethorpe University also in Atlanta, Georgia. Aaron held many positions such as working in medical records and at the front desk of Moorehouse, a staffer at Sofitel, and a security guard for Oglethorpe University.
Aaron had a heart of gold; was a great storyteller but was an even greater listener. He enjoyed being a stepfather to Justen, Jalen and Bella. Turtle enjoyed giving his perspective of the world with sincerity. He also enjoyed visiting different climates and cigar bars, hanging out with friends, and talking on the phone. But one of his greatest past times was following and bragging about his favorite team, the Jets. Whether they were winners or losers, he was one of their most dedicated fans.
Aaron was predeceased by his grandmothers Mary Dillard and Vilma Davis Lee, Kenneth “Sonny” Granderson, Bruce Melbourne and Charles Dillard.
Aaron leaves behind his mother Ardenia Dillard Melbourne Clayton; brother Bradford Clayton; two sisters Ciara and Danisha; nephews Jayson Centeno and Odin Mulrain; a niece Denise Centeno; aunts Janet Singleton, Janice Melbourne, and Brenda Andrews; cousins Kim, Yvette, Tracey Singleton, Lisa, Pam, Tommy, Cydnei, Lyn, Singleton; Jackie, Janice, James, Janane, Gilby, Dawniee and Tina, Mark, Bruce, Raven, Gay Davis and many more family members and friends as well as a good friend Dennis Pemberton.
