Aaron James Bonifield

Aaron James Bonifield, 32, passed away July 23, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. He was born August 22, 1982 to James G. and Katherine C. Bonifield in Olympia, Washington. Aaron graduated from Capital High School in Olympia in 1999. He earned a B.S. in biology and B.A. in anthropology from St. Martin University in Lacey, Washington in 2003, as well as a B.S. in Nursing Science from the University of Southern Nevada in Henderson, Nevada in 2008. He worked as a Critical Care Registered Nurse at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, an Organ Recovery Coordinator at Life Center Northwest in Seattle, and Critical Care Registered Nurse at the University of Washington Northwest Hospital in Seattle. Aaron’s excellence as an intensive care nurse was recognized by many patients and their families who spoke of his care and empathy, and his loving and gentle nature. As an organ recovery coordinator, he was in a unique position to console families who had just lost a loved one. He felt keenly the need to help these families who were suffering and in shock to realize the gifts of life they were providing to others. For Aaron, nursing was both calling and mission. Aaron loved music and poetry and shared this love with his brother Ryan and his closest friends. He suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder after an explosive injury to his hands, which amputated several fingers, requiring multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. As a result, he had chronic insomnia, phantom pain, and flashbacks. In spite of this, he functioned at a high level and achieved a great deal. He was an accomplished drummer and devoted to writing poetry and lyrics. A great friend to many, he was often known as “Little Bee” (since he was the younger brother of Ryan). He loved his extended family, stayed in touch by social media and never missed an opportunity to see his cousins and friends. His smile and personality could light up a room. Aaron had a keenly developed sense of justice and fairness. In college, he met a professor of cultural anthropology whose teaching and friendship had a huge impact on his life. As a student, he twice participated in the Martin Luther King peace marches on the streets of San Francisco and was part of a group of students and teachers from St. Martin’s who built a house for a family in Mexico. He was a capable carpenter, electrician and plumber. Aaron had a beautiful yurt in the woods that he enjoyed as home, music studio, and refuge. The project of building it was a labor of love completed with the help of family and friends. He had a passion for nature and enjoyed hiking and camping, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding on Oyster Bay. He is survived by his parents, James and Katherine Bonifield; brothers, Daniel Ryan Bonifield Justin Bonifield, Travis Bonifield, and nephew, Gabriel Bonifield. He was predeceased by grandparents, Elmo and Alice Bonifield and Henry and Pascuala (Peggy) Montez; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Aaron will always be remembered for his tremendous capacity for love and friendship; his empathy for patients and friends who were suffering or in pain; his love for this earth and fear for its destruction; his regard for teachers, friends and those who devote their lives to learning; his compassion for those who were homeless or alone; and for those who needed to be loved or touched. He lived a beautiful, full life. He touched many and was dearly loved. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church Men’s Homeless Shelter, 1208 11th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Please leave memories of Aaron or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.