Erbie
Aikin, JR.
Erbie Aikin, Jr., age 83 of Clarksville, Texas, passed away Tuesday, January
22, 2008, in Red River County Hospital in Clarksville. Mr. Aikin was born July
25, 1924, in English, Texas, the first son of Erbie George and Lilous Melton
Aikin. Mr. Aikin was preceded in death by his wife Olga, his parents and his
brother, J. C. Aikn.
He is survived by: his wife, Margaret of the home; son, Royace Aikin and wife
Jean of Richland, Washington; two grandsons, Scott Aikin and wife Susan of Nashville,
Tennessee, Jacob Aikin and wife Janine of Santa Clara, California; and sisters
Bobbie Morgan of Clarksville, Dorothy Bain and husband James of Avery, and Mae
Webb and husband Gearl of Garland. Also surviving are: sister-in-law Sue Aikin;
stepson Mark Wilson and wife Martha, stepson Tim Wilson; three step-grandchildren,
Kendi, Heather, and Dana; three step-great-grandchildren, Hunter, Cheyenne, and
Connor; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Mr. Aikin joined the Army Air Force in 1942. In 1944 he married Olga Scoggin.
They lived in Hooks, Texas, for three years before moving to Clarksville. Olga
predeceased him after 41 years of marriage. He worked for Red River Army Depot
for 43 years, retiring in 1986 as a division supervisor. During his years of
car pooling to and from the Depot, it seems that half the county may have ridden
with him at one time or another. In 1986, he married Margaret Wilson in Wichita
Falls, Texas. They lived in Clarksville and contributed countless hours of community
service to the Food Pantry, PRIDE and the Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Aikin loved music all his life and began singing at school at an early age.
He was a member of McKenzie Memorial United Methodist Church over 50 years. He
loved singing in the choir and teaching the Men’s Bible Class. He served on the
Administrative Council, represented the Church at District meetings and was Building
Committee Chairman of the existing building in 1975. The church community, which
he faithfully served and loved, substantially enriched his life.
Mr. Aikin joined the Masonic Lodge in 1953 and served in nearly every station
including Worshipful Master, District Deputy Grand Master, and several times
in the Chaplain’s post. He taught many a young man his work and faithfully served
in whatever capacity appointed.
Mr. Aikin loved bird hunting and spent many happy times out with his dog, Old
Jim. Another hobby was fishing with his father, his brother and his close friends
June Terry, Bill Bettes and Johnny Jamison. He learned how to cook fish, crappie
was his favorite, to perfection under the mentorship of June Terry.
Services were held Saturday, January 26 at 2:30 p.m. at McKenzie Memorial United
Methodist Church with Rev. Lew Stokes and Rev. Gary McCain officiating. Visitation
was from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday night at the Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Paul
Allen, Ben Black, Jim Cochran, Ken Dailey, W. R. Freeman, Dick Goodman, W. D.
Rhodes, Bill Terry and James Vaughan. Interment occurred at Fairview Cemetery
under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.
