A.J., Kyle, & Matt - Forever Missed

This page is dedicated to Aaron James (A.J.) Stangland, Kyle Courtney Alexander, and Matthew Erik McKaskey.  These three men were tragically taken away from us in 2002. I’ve created this page for the 20th anniversary of their accident so we can pay tribute to the three men. Much time has passed since the horrible accident but I know not a day goes by that these men and their families aren’t still in many people’s thoughts and prayers. Their impact on this world was profound. Feel free to share some pictures as well as your thoughts, memories, prayers, or whatever else you’d like to say.  The site said this page will be up forever so come back as often as you’d like. Please keep your comments respectful.

We had a website many years ago where people could post something and it seemed to help the grieving process for many people. I saved what I could from the website and I’ve removed any contact information. I’ve made it all into a PDF for those of you interested in reading the heartfelt comments left many years ago. It’s 106 pages and an incredible tribute to the young men.  I’ve created a shared folder with a PDF of the old message board (memorial wall), as well as many of the news articles from 2002. This website won’t let me put files or a link so you’ll have to copy and paste to view this shared folder: https://bit.ly/3Hw5209

Sincerely, 

Ryan Baker

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Here are the three men’s memorials:

Aaron James (A.J.) Stangland, a 1999 Granada High School graduate who was attending Las Positas College in Livermore, died Sunday Feb. 24, 2002, in an auto accident. He was 20.

Born April 9, 1981, in San Francisco, Mr. Stangland played Livermore Youth Football from ages 9 to 13 and he played first string on the Granada High School football team his freshman year. As a sophomore he made the varsity squad as a middle linebacker. During his junior year he played a game at the Oakland Coliseum. He was an avid Raiders fan and enjoyed snowboarding.

He is survived by his parents, James and Pamela Stangland of Livermore; his grandparents, Jess and Goldie McCarty; and girlfriend, Melissa Billingsley of Livermore.

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Kyle Courtney Alexander, a 1998 graduate of Granada High School in Livermore, died Sunday Feb. 24, 2002, in an auto accident. He was 22. Born Dec. 1, 1979 in Indianapolis, Ind., Mr. Alexander was an active member of United Christian Church in Livermore and played and sang in the church band. He was a camp counselor and served on the Regional Youth Council for the Christian Churches of Northern California and Nevada.

Kyle was driven by a strong and passionate musical sense and was talented on many instruments, including his most accomplished instrument, the drums.  Kyle's friends included anyone who was lucky enough to meet him, and he always took time out to meet as many people as he could.  Second only to music, Kyle's other passion was the outdoors.  It was in the snow and mountains that he considered himself at home. While outdoors he was extremely active, enjoying everything from snowboarding and hiking to playing basketball.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Pam and Larry Rahn of Livermore; brothers, Jeff Rahn of Grass Valley, Tim Rahn of Seattle and Chris Johnson of Livermore; and many friends and relatives.

"We wish to express our deepest gratitude for all the love and support we have received from many friends of Kyle and Chris, the community of Livermore, our family and friends and our church community.

With God's constant Love we will be ever enriched by the many ways Kyle touched our lives."

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Matthew Eric McKaskey, a 1997 graduate of Livermore High School, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 in an auto accident. He was 22.

Born May 10, 1979, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Mr. McKaskey earned an associate of arts degree at Las Positas College in Livermore and a bachelor's degree in political science pre-law from California State University, Hayward.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Livermore, Livermore National Baseball, Livermore High School Basketball, Livermore Soccer League, and an indoor soccer league at Hot Shots indoor sports facility. He enjoyed cars, sports, golfing, basketball and hanging out with his friends. He worked at Hot Shots in Livermore for seven months and at Wente Winery for five years.

He is survived by his parents, Stephen and Kathy McKaskey of Livermore; brother, Christopher McKaskey of Livermore; aunts and uncles, Dennis and Catherine, Robert and Peggy, Evelyn and Bob, John and Sharon, William and Nancy, Donald and Diane, Charles Eugene and Alice, Betty and Joseph, Christine and Donald, Judy and Carl, Robert Earl and Gail, Roxanne and Bob, Carol and John, Marly and Charles and Sharon and Nicholas; grandparents, George and Barbara McKaskey of Scotts Valley; and great-grandmother, Mildred Drabiska of Santa Cruz.