John Everett Aiken Jr.

John was a USC graduate and an avid and loyal Gamecock fan. He grew up in Timmonsville, SC and retired from the State of SC where he worked in Personnel Administration. Prior to his state service, for a number of years, he was a salesman for Remington Rand and an employment counselor for Snelling and Snelling. He was also a member of Columbia Toastmasters for 25 years.

John served four years in the US Air Force. He gave the Air Force great credit for sending him to Valdosta, Georgia. There, he met his cute little telephone operator and the love of his life for 62 years, Elva Howell Aiken. John’s favorite song was “The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” by Ray Price because it describes Elva perfectly.

John is predeceased by his sister, Jacqueline Simpson, as well as his loyal and beloved fur-baby, Coco.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his daughter, Pamela Aiken Martin (Travis) of Lexington; son, Michael S. Aiken of Lexington; three granddaughters, Hannah Cook of Charleston, Jacqueline Aiken of Lexington, and Kaylin Khoda (Piyush) of West Columbia; one sister, Molly Cobb of Camden; brother, Rick Aiken (Florence) of Gainesville.

“Because of family, friends, and neighbors like you, I had a great life…. Thanks!”

A visitation will begin at 10 a.m. July 31, 2018 with a celebration of life to start at 12 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel. A burial will follow at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of Pulmonary Connections Compassionate Care Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army Woodyard Fund, 7532 Irmo Dr. Columbia, SC 29212, The American Lung Association, www.lung.org, or Pulmonary Connections Compassionate Care Hospice, 455 St. Andrews Rd. Bldg D, Suite 1, Columbia, SC 29210.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.