Ronald “Ron” Garrard Aikens passed away surrounded by family and friends on April 8, 2015 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.
Ron was born in the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah on September 24, 1935 as the youngest child of four of Harold Raymond and Eldora Susan Garrard Aikens. He lived his childhood there in Ogden, growing up on Eccles Street amongst his buddies, known affectionately as the Eccles Street Gang. Ron graduated from Ogden High School in 1953.
Ron married Marilyn Ada Ford in his parent’s home on January 17, 1953. They spent their early years in Ogden where their first child was born, a son, Brian Ford, also born in the same Dee Hospital. Not too long after that, Ron, Marilyn and Brian moved to California. The story goes that Ron came out to California for a job interview in February where it was sunny and warm, only to return to Ogden where it was below freezing. Upon his return, he said to Marilyn, we’re moving to California. They lived in Culver City where their second son, Jeffery Garrard, was born. Later they moved to Lakewood, where their third son, Raymond Nilsson, was born in Long Beach along with their only daughter Ronda Lyn ten years later. Ron originally a baker with the Hostess Baking Company quit and went back to school at Long Beach City College achieving his AA degree. Following that he found a job with Southern California Edison. In late 1970, Ron and family relocated to the Santa Barbara area with Edison. Later Ron and Marilyn relocated to Carpinteria in the 1976. It was during his time in Santa Barbara that Ron went back to school and graduated from Pepperdine with his B.A. degree. Ron and Marilyn divorced in 1978. At this time Ron relocated to Ventura as he was now a Customer Service Supervisor in the SCE Ventura office. Ron soon purchased a home in Oak View, where he lived most of the rest of his years until his passing. In 1982, Ron married Gwendolyn Jean Tatum, of Camarillo. For the ten years they were married Ron lived in Camarillo with Jeanne. Even after their amicable divorce in 1992, Ron and Jeanne stayed very close friends. In Ron’s later years they went out to dinner weekly. His daughter-in-law’s mother, Bonnie Bennett, came to live with Brian and Connie. Ron took an interest in helping Bonnie after her move and they grew close. For the last ten years of Bonnie’s life, she and Ron lived in Ron’s home in Oak View and loved their time together. Bonnie passed away in 2010.
Ron was known by family, friends and neighbors for his willingness to help others. Fixing porches, roofs, doing the electric wiring for his son Brian’s home additions, for mowing their lawns to help, hauling, painting, whatever they needed, Ron was there. If he had a tool you needed, it was yours to borrow any time you needed it. When his son Jeff had issues with the roof on their home in Quartz Hill, Ron travelled back and forth for weeks putting on a new roof. He also travelled to Las Vegas to play nursemaid when Ray and Becky had twin daughters. Ron loved family, often traveling back to his birth place, Ogden, to take care of his mom, visit with his brother and sisters and their families and friends, and taking off fishing with whomever wanted to go. Ron and Brian enjoyed a trip to Toronto in 1992, a family history trip back to West Virginia and Virginia in 2004, a “farewell tour” trip back to visit relatives and friends in Ogden in 2006, and a return to Ogden in 2013 to attend his 60th Ogden High School Reunion. In the trip back to West Virginia, Ron and Brian tracked down the grave of George Aikens, Ron’s great, great grandfather, who came to the United States from Ireland in the early 1800’s. He loved calling back home that day and talking with granddaughter, Rachel Aikens Burke, and telling her what he had found on a hillside behind a chapel down a long country lane. And perhaps, most of all, Ron enjoyed telling stories. He readily shared stories of his mischievous youth, stories of his family and their pioneer roots, and stories of life. Ron was a natural born storyteller and when he spoke, family and friends listened. And speaking of listening, Ron sat with his children and grandchildren and would talk with them, listen to their life’s progress, understand their questions, and provide valued counsel and support. Even though Ron had retired at an early age, with his savings and his pension, he supported his grandchildren in attending college and university and working toward undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. He was extremely proud that his grandson, Ryan Aikens, went to Ron’s school, Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, to complete a JD/MBA degree. Also completing an undergraduate degree in Reno was granddaughter Amanda Aikens along with granddaughter Marah Stevenson soon graduating from UC Irvine.
Ron is survived by his former wife, Jeanne Tatum, his four children, Brian and his wife Connie Aikens, Jeff and his wife Lori Aikens, Ray and his wife Becky Aikens and his daughter Ronda Stevenson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, Josh, Kamron, Amanda, Andrea, Brianna, Kelsey, Alexandra, Marah, Seth and Brooke. He leaves six great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Dora Aikens, his brother Harold (Ronella), sisters Dorlene (Dale) and DeLois (Paul), his wife Marilyn Aikens Day, companion Bonnie Bennett and his beloved granddaughter Lonna Aikens.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura. An internment of Ron’s ashes will be celebrated in June as Ron is reunited with his Aikens family members in the Ogden City Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden, 3408 Washington Blvd. Following the memorial service, Ron's ashes will be taken to the Ogden City Cemetery to be interred amongst his parents, brother and sisters and spouses.
Donations can be made to honor Ron to the KICK Foundation (www.kickfoundation.org), a foundation started by grandson Ryan, and supported by Ron, to support street kids in Kampala, Uganda.
Ron was born in the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah on September 24, 1935 as the youngest child of four of Harold Raymond and Eldora Susan Garrard Aikens. He lived his childhood there in Ogden, growing up on Eccles Street amongst his buddies, known affectionately as the Eccles Street Gang. Ron graduated from Ogden High School in 1953.
Ron married Marilyn Ada Ford in his parent’s home on January 17, 1953. They spent their early years in Ogden where their first child was born, a son, Brian Ford, also born in the same Dee Hospital. Not too long after that, Ron, Marilyn and Brian moved to California. The story goes that Ron came out to California for a job interview in February where it was sunny and warm, only to return to Ogden where it was below freezing. Upon his return, he said to Marilyn, we’re moving to California. They lived in Culver City where their second son, Jeffery Garrard, was born. Later they moved to Lakewood, where their third son, Raymond Nilsson, was born in Long Beach along with their only daughter Ronda Lyn ten years later. Ron originally a baker with the Hostess Baking Company quit and went back to school at Long Beach City College achieving his AA degree. Following that he found a job with Southern California Edison. In late 1970, Ron and family relocated to the Santa Barbara area with Edison. Later Ron and Marilyn relocated to Carpinteria in the 1976. It was during his time in Santa Barbara that Ron went back to school and graduated from Pepperdine with his B.A. degree. Ron and Marilyn divorced in 1978. At this time Ron relocated to Ventura as he was now a Customer Service Supervisor in the SCE Ventura office. Ron soon purchased a home in Oak View, where he lived most of the rest of his years until his passing. In 1982, Ron married Gwendolyn Jean Tatum, of Camarillo. For the ten years they were married Ron lived in Camarillo with Jeanne. Even after their amicable divorce in 1992, Ron and Jeanne stayed very close friends. In Ron’s later years they went out to dinner weekly. His daughter-in-law’s mother, Bonnie Bennett, came to live with Brian and Connie. Ron took an interest in helping Bonnie after her move and they grew close. For the last ten years of Bonnie’s life, she and Ron lived in Ron’s home in Oak View and loved their time together. Bonnie passed away in 2010.
Ron was known by family, friends and neighbors for his willingness to help others. Fixing porches, roofs, doing the electric wiring for his son Brian’s home additions, for mowing their lawns to help, hauling, painting, whatever they needed, Ron was there. If he had a tool you needed, it was yours to borrow any time you needed it. When his son Jeff had issues with the roof on their home in Quartz Hill, Ron travelled back and forth for weeks putting on a new roof. He also travelled to Las Vegas to play nursemaid when Ray and Becky had twin daughters. Ron loved family, often traveling back to his birth place, Ogden, to take care of his mom, visit with his brother and sisters and their families and friends, and taking off fishing with whomever wanted to go. Ron and Brian enjoyed a trip to Toronto in 1992, a family history trip back to West Virginia and Virginia in 2004, a “farewell tour” trip back to visit relatives and friends in Ogden in 2006, and a return to Ogden in 2013 to attend his 60th Ogden High School Reunion. In the trip back to West Virginia, Ron and Brian tracked down the grave of George Aikens, Ron’s great, great grandfather, who came to the United States from Ireland in the early 1800’s. He loved calling back home that day and talking with granddaughter, Rachel Aikens Burke, and telling her what he had found on a hillside behind a chapel down a long country lane. And perhaps, most of all, Ron enjoyed telling stories. He readily shared stories of his mischievous youth, stories of his family and their pioneer roots, and stories of life. Ron was a natural born storyteller and when he spoke, family and friends listened. And speaking of listening, Ron sat with his children and grandchildren and would talk with them, listen to their life’s progress, understand their questions, and provide valued counsel and support. Even though Ron had retired at an early age, with his savings and his pension, he supported his grandchildren in attending college and university and working toward undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. He was extremely proud that his grandson, Ryan Aikens, went to Ron’s school, Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, to complete a JD/MBA degree. Also completing an undergraduate degree in Reno was granddaughter Amanda Aikens along with granddaughter Marah Stevenson soon graduating from UC Irvine.
Ron is survived by his former wife, Jeanne Tatum, his four children, Brian and his wife Connie Aikens, Jeff and his wife Lori Aikens, Ray and his wife Becky Aikens and his daughter Ronda Stevenson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, Josh, Kamron, Amanda, Andrea, Brianna, Kelsey, Alexandra, Marah, Seth and Brooke. He leaves six great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Dora Aikens, his brother Harold (Ronella), sisters Dorlene (Dale) and DeLois (Paul), his wife Marilyn Aikens Day, companion Bonnie Bennett and his beloved granddaughter Lonna Aikens.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura. An internment of Ron’s ashes will be celebrated in June as Ron is reunited with his Aikens family members in the Ogden City Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden, 3408 Washington Blvd. Following the memorial service, Ron's ashes will be taken to the Ogden City Cemetery to be interred amongst his parents, brother and sisters and spouses.
Donations can be made to honor Ron to the KICK Foundation (www.kickfoundation.org), a foundation started by grandson Ryan, and supported by Ron, to support street kids in Kampala, Uganda.
Ronald “Ron” Garrard Aikens passed away surrounded by family and friends on April 8, 2015 at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.
Ron was born in the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah on September 24, 1935 as the youngest child of four of Harold Raymond and Eldora Susan Garrard Aikens. He lived his childhood there in Ogden, growing up on Eccles Street amongst his buddies, known affectionately as the Eccles Street Gang. Ron graduated from Ogden High School in 1953.
Ron married Marilyn Ada Ford in his parent’s home on January 17, 1953. They spent their early years in Ogden where their first child was born, a son, Brian Ford, also born in the same Dee Hospital. Not too long after that, Ron, Marilyn and Brian moved to California. The story goes that Ron came out to California for a job interview in February where it was sunny and warm, only to return to Ogden where it was below freezing. Upon his return, he said to Marilyn, we’re moving to California. They lived in Culver City where their second son, Jeffery Garrard, was born. Later they moved to Lakewood, where their third son, Raymond Nilsson, was born in Long Beach along with their only daughter Ronda Lyn ten years later. Ron originally a baker with the Hostess Baking Company quit and went back to school at Long Beach City College achieving his AA degree. Following that he found a job with Southern California Edison. In late 1970, Ron and family relocated to the Santa Barbara area with Edison. Later Ron and Marilyn relocated to Carpinteria in the 1976. It was during his time in Santa Barbara that Ron went back to school and graduated from Pepperdine with his B.A. degree. Ron and Marilyn divorced in 1978. At this time Ron relocated to Ventura as he was now a Customer Service Supervisor in the SCE Ventura office. Ron soon purchased a home in Oak View, where he lived most of the rest of his years until his passing. In 1982, Ron married Gwendolyn Jean Tatum, of Camarillo. For the ten years they were married Ron lived in Camarillo with Jeanne. Even after their amicable divorce in 1992, Ron and Jeanne stayed very close friends. In Ron’s later years they went out to dinner weekly. His daughter-in-law’s mother, Bonnie Bennett, came to live with Brian and Connie. Ron took an interest in helping Bonnie after her move and they grew close. For the last ten years of Bonnie’s life, she and Ron lived in Ron’s home in Oak View and loved their time together. Bonnie passed away in 2010.
Ron was known by family, friends and neighbors for his willingness to help others. Fixing porches, roofs, doing the electric wiring for his son Brian’s home additions, for mowing their lawns to help, hauling, painting, whatever they needed, Ron was there. If he had a tool you needed, it was yours to borrow any time you needed it. When his son Jeff had issues with the roof on their home in Quartz Hill, Ron travelled back and forth for weeks putting on a new roof. He also travelled to Las Vegas to play nursemaid when Ray and Becky had twin daughters. Ron loved family, often traveling back to his birth place, Ogden, to take care of his mom, visit with his brother and sisters and their families and friends, and taking off fishing with whomever wanted to go. Ron and Brian enjoyed a trip to Toronto in 1992, a family history trip back to West Virginia and Virginia in 2004, a “farewell tour” trip back to visit relatives and friends in Ogden in 2006, and a return to Ogden in 2013 to attend his 60th Ogden High School Reunion. In the trip back to West Virginia, Ron and Brian tracked down the grave of George Aikens, Ron’s great, great grandfather, who came to the United States from Ireland in the early 1800’s. He loved calling back home that day and talking with granddaughter, Rachel Aikens Burke, and telling her what he had found on a hillside behind a chapel down a long country lane. And perhaps, most of all, Ron enjoyed telling stories. He readily shared stories of his mischievous youth, stories of his family and their pioneer roots, and stories of life. Ron was a natural born storyteller and when he spoke, family and friends listened. And speaking of listening, Ron sat with his children and grandchildren and would talk with them, listen to their life’s progress, understand their questions, and provide valued counsel and support. Even though Ron had retired at an early age, with his savings and his pension, he supported his grandchildren in attending college and university and working toward undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. He was extremely proud that his grandson, Ryan Aikens, went to Ron’s school, Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, to complete a JD/MBA degree. Also completing an undergraduate degree in Reno was granddaughter Amanda Aikens along with granddaughter Marah Stevenson soon graduating from UC Irvine.
Ron is survived by his former wife, Jeanne Tatum, his four children, Brian and his wife Connie Aikens, Jeff and his wife Lori Aikens, Ray and his wife Becky Aikens and his daughter Ronda Stevenson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, Josh, Kamron, Amanda, Andrea, Brianna, Kelsey, Alexandra, Marah, Seth and Brooke. He leaves six great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Dora Aikens, his brother Harold (Ronella), sisters Dorlene (Dale) and DeLois (Paul), his wife Marilyn Aikens Day, companion Bonnie Bennett and his beloved granddaughter Lonna Aikens.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura. An internment of Ron’s ashes will be celebrated in June as Ron is reunited with his Aikens family members in the Ogden City Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden, 3408 Washington Blvd. Following the memorial service, Ron's ashes will be taken to the Ogden City Cemetery to be interred amongst his parents, brother and sisters and spouses.
Donations can be made to honor Ron to the KICK Foundation (www.kickfoundation.org), a foundation started by grandson Ryan, and supported by Ron, to support street kids in Kampala, Uganda.
Ron was born in the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah on September 24, 1935 as the youngest child of four of Harold Raymond and Eldora Susan Garrard Aikens. He lived his childhood there in Ogden, growing up on Eccles Street amongst his buddies, known affectionately as the Eccles Street Gang. Ron graduated from Ogden High School in 1953.
Ron married Marilyn Ada Ford in his parent’s home on January 17, 1953. They spent their early years in Ogden where their first child was born, a son, Brian Ford, also born in the same Dee Hospital. Not too long after that, Ron, Marilyn and Brian moved to California. The story goes that Ron came out to California for a job interview in February where it was sunny and warm, only to return to Ogden where it was below freezing. Upon his return, he said to Marilyn, we’re moving to California. They lived in Culver City where their second son, Jeffery Garrard, was born. Later they moved to Lakewood, where their third son, Raymond Nilsson, was born in Long Beach along with their only daughter Ronda Lyn ten years later. Ron originally a baker with the Hostess Baking Company quit and went back to school at Long Beach City College achieving his AA degree. Following that he found a job with Southern California Edison. In late 1970, Ron and family relocated to the Santa Barbara area with Edison. Later Ron and Marilyn relocated to Carpinteria in the 1976. It was during his time in Santa Barbara that Ron went back to school and graduated from Pepperdine with his B.A. degree. Ron and Marilyn divorced in 1978. At this time Ron relocated to Ventura as he was now a Customer Service Supervisor in the SCE Ventura office. Ron soon purchased a home in Oak View, where he lived most of the rest of his years until his passing. In 1982, Ron married Gwendolyn Jean Tatum, of Camarillo. For the ten years they were married Ron lived in Camarillo with Jeanne. Even after their amicable divorce in 1992, Ron and Jeanne stayed very close friends. In Ron’s later years they went out to dinner weekly. His daughter-in-law’s mother, Bonnie Bennett, came to live with Brian and Connie. Ron took an interest in helping Bonnie after her move and they grew close. For the last ten years of Bonnie’s life, she and Ron lived in Ron’s home in Oak View and loved their time together. Bonnie passed away in 2010.
Ron was known by family, friends and neighbors for his willingness to help others. Fixing porches, roofs, doing the electric wiring for his son Brian’s home additions, for mowing their lawns to help, hauling, painting, whatever they needed, Ron was there. If he had a tool you needed, it was yours to borrow any time you needed it. When his son Jeff had issues with the roof on their home in Quartz Hill, Ron travelled back and forth for weeks putting on a new roof. He also travelled to Las Vegas to play nursemaid when Ray and Becky had twin daughters. Ron loved family, often traveling back to his birth place, Ogden, to take care of his mom, visit with his brother and sisters and their families and friends, and taking off fishing with whomever wanted to go. Ron and Brian enjoyed a trip to Toronto in 1992, a family history trip back to West Virginia and Virginia in 2004, a “farewell tour” trip back to visit relatives and friends in Ogden in 2006, and a return to Ogden in 2013 to attend his 60th Ogden High School Reunion. In the trip back to West Virginia, Ron and Brian tracked down the grave of George Aikens, Ron’s great, great grandfather, who came to the United States from Ireland in the early 1800’s. He loved calling back home that day and talking with granddaughter, Rachel Aikens Burke, and telling her what he had found on a hillside behind a chapel down a long country lane. And perhaps, most of all, Ron enjoyed telling stories. He readily shared stories of his mischievous youth, stories of his family and their pioneer roots, and stories of life. Ron was a natural born storyteller and when he spoke, family and friends listened. And speaking of listening, Ron sat with his children and grandchildren and would talk with them, listen to their life’s progress, understand their questions, and provide valued counsel and support. Even though Ron had retired at an early age, with his savings and his pension, he supported his grandchildren in attending college and university and working toward undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. He was extremely proud that his grandson, Ryan Aikens, went to Ron’s school, Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, to complete a JD/MBA degree. Also completing an undergraduate degree in Reno was granddaughter Amanda Aikens along with granddaughter Marah Stevenson soon graduating from UC Irvine.
Ron is survived by his former wife, Jeanne Tatum, his four children, Brian and his wife Connie Aikens, Jeff and his wife Lori Aikens, Ray and his wife Becky Aikens and his daughter Ronda Stevenson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, Josh, Kamron, Amanda, Andrea, Brianna, Kelsey, Alexandra, Marah, Seth and Brooke. He leaves six great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Dora Aikens, his brother Harold (Ronella), sisters Dorlene (Dale) and DeLois (Paul), his wife Marilyn Aikens Day, companion Bonnie Bennett and his beloved granddaughter Lonna Aikens.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura. An internment of Ron’s ashes will be celebrated in June as Ron is reunited with his Aikens family members in the Ogden City Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden, 3408 Washington Blvd. Following the memorial service, Ron's ashes will be taken to the Ogden City Cemetery to be interred amongst his parents, brother and sisters and spouses.
Donations can be made to honor Ron to the KICK Foundation (www.kickfoundation.org), a foundation started by grandson Ryan, and supported by Ron, to support street kids in Kampala, Uganda.
