JD Aronce, 40 of Friona passed away December 17, 2021 in Amarillo. Viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM with Rosary Services at 6:00 PM Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in the Ron smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY with Mass of Christian Burial Services scheduled for 11:00 AM Thursday, December 23, 2021 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church of Friona with Father Gregory Bunyan as Celebrant. Burial following in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.

JD was born February 15, 1981 in El Paso, Texas to Jesus David and Nellie Castro Aronce.

He grew up in Friona and graduated with the class of 1999. Following graduation, he attended WT A&M and South Plains College earning his Associates of Arts in English and Music Engineering.

He was a gifted musician, talented singer, and passionate songwriter. He was the lead singer of Downpour and Red Republic. He had hundreds of fans, friends, and family that followed his musical career from the Panhandle to San Antonio, and Phoenix, AZ. He was a front man in every sense of the word and loved performing and entertaining people. He later worked in financial services.

JD enjoyed hiking, camping, skiing Black Diamond trails, and traveling around the United States, Mexico, and Scandinavia. His true joy was spending quality time with his family and friends.

He loved his family, nephews, and nieces and will forever be "Uncle Jelly".  He had many, many close friends who became his brothers and sisters. He treasured his beloved dog, Friona. His voice and his laughter were contagious to all around him and his nature of making everyone feel special will be impossible to forget.

He will be greatly missed and his legacy of compassionate love, overflowing joy, and positive energy will continue to live on in all the people's lives he has touched.

Those to carry on his legacy include his parents David and Nellie Aronce of Friona, 4 sisters-Martha Aronce Hartgen and husband Kenneth of McCamey, Anna Aronce Hernandez and husband Jonathan of San Antonio, Marie Aronce Cocian and husband Emanuel of Aurora, CO., and Rebecca Aronce and wife Amanda of Littleton, CO., nieces and nephews- Luke Mata, Ethan Mata, Shiloh Cocian, Gracen Cocian, Amberly Hernandez, Brooke Hernandez, Kayla Hernandez and Camden Cocian, and his beloved Maltese that he so lovingly named Friona after his hometown.