Frederick J. Aun, 71, died on April 28, 2024 at Lexington Medical Center. A native of Lexington, South Carolina, Fred was one of eleven children born to the late Michael A. Aun, Sr. and Alice Celeste Aun in March, 1953.
Fred attended Tina's Kindergarten, the first pre-school in Lexington, founded by his departed step-grandmother, Ernestine Mack, where he forged life-long friendships. He graduated from Batesburg Leesville High School and quickly proved himself a quintessential restauranteur. In the mid-seventies he launched Aun's Feed Stable imbued with original folk art painted by his father, “Michael A.” Fred brilliantly created a menu honoring his beloved community with sandwiches such as "The Wildcat” and “Cat’s Paw”. The restaurant was frequently touted by The State Newspaper as "the place to be in the Midlands on a week-end,” and under Fred's leadership, achieved national recognition when selected as one of the Top 10 Off the Roadside restaurants in the US by a national publication, thereby bringing people throughout the Southeast to his hometown. Fred frequently volunteered time, talent, and resources to local schools and charities, and from his love of music, provided a platform that launched many local musicians as part of Aun's Feed Stable's week-end entertainment. He created the first Armadillo Cotillion to lure additional people to his beloved restaurant and hometown. Fred continued in the hospitality industry and in real estate development well beyond his time at Aun's Feed Stable.
An avid sports fan, Fred was so dedicated to the Clemson Tigers that one would frequently find him in tiger orange and tense moments with Gamecock alum among friends and family. His love of Tiger sports led him to an equal love of golf. He served on the Board of Lexington Country Club which was also his home course.
Fred will be remembered as a loving, easygoing person with a quirky sense of humor who touched all he met, inspired all who would listen, created epic memories with life-long friends, and generally made life better for all who knew him.
Fred is succeeded by his beloved daughter, Polly Aun Gathings (Cliffton); three grandchildren whom he adored, Gabrielle, Isabelle, and Carter; his former wife, Jan Jernigan; his siblings, Mary Aun, (Belle Mead, NJ), George Aun, (Lex., SC), Michael Aun,II (Orlando, FL), Lorraine Aun Barakat, (Cola, SC), Charles Aun, (Mt. Dora, FL), Jeannine Aun (Cola, SC), Therese Aun, (Atl, GA), John Aun, (Lex., SC), Frances Aun (North Bergen, NJ), and Andrew Aun (Chapin, SC); and by numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces and their children, as well as life-long friends who love him dearly. He will also be missed by family members of his late wife, Sandra Prichard Cox.
A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, on Sunday May 26, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Oliver Gospel Mission, Harvest Hope Food Bank or a charity of your choosing.
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