SULLIVAN, Ill. (WAND) — Aaron Jones made a big impact on his students' lives in the two years he taught band at Sullivan High School. After a fatal crash, his students are remembering his legacy by painting the parking spot his red car was in each day of school. 

"It's a symbol in his honor, because every morning I would walk to school and his car would be here everyday," said Ayden Dolan. "It gives me the memories of knowing where his car was and how I felt coming to school knowing he would be here to make my day good." 

The space is painted blue and adorned with music notes in red to remember the hours he dedicated to researching music and arranging it for the bands. Incoming junior Donavan Perry even remembers when Mr. Jones taught the band how to play the song "Baby Shark," because it was Donavon's younger sister's favorite song. 

"We were his pride and he definitely built relationships with every person in band that he could," said Perry. "I hope the parking spot memorial is a way to show his family that he was well loved by the community, especially with the signatures and amount of people that showed up to help with it." 

Current students and alumni showed up to sign the parking spot and share memories of Jones' impacts on their lives. Many shared that Jones' teaching went beyond just music education. The said he was dedicated to helping them succeed and learn life skills. 

"He's the guy I live to be and want to be for the rest of my life," said Dolan. "He was so kind, so loving, he was caring and he just gave people that good thing they needed at the start of their day." 

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