Ernest Gray Aiken

An intimate and immediate family burial takes place Saturday, May 9, 2020.
Ernest Gray Aiken left his body on May 6 in the wee twilight hours of morning. He was being cared for
at home by his wife.
Ern, as he was called, by those closest, was born in Austin, growing up in Georgetown. He attended a
technical school and soon began work as a technical illustrator for military aviation contracts in the Fort
Worth and the Metroplex area. His last contract was under Pinnacle, Mike Durant’s Company focused
on Black Hawk Helicopters in the Blue Grass Station in Avon, near Lexington, Kentucky. His wife moved
him back to Texas after he suffered a stroke in 2011. Together they pursued an adapted lifestyle for the
following 8+ years until Metastatic Melanoma claimed him on May 6 th .
“Ernesto the Besto” was preceded in death by his brother, John Edward Aiken; and his father, Charles
Henry (Doc) Aiken. His forbearer Hermon Aiken was an early settler of Salado.
He is survived by his mother, Anna Marie Bertram Aiken of Georgetown; sister, Clara Joy and life mate
Monte Mann of Austin; sister, Mary Lou and husband Timothy Dupuis of Westlake Hills; brother Charles
Fred and wife Conny Aiken of Los Angeles; numerous cousins, friends and wife, Julie - along with their
three dogs and eleven cats, residing in Vidor, TX.
Ern was a brilliant draftsman but may be best remembered for his geodesic creations, holding a patent
for his connection system and a few designs making his domes useful, from backyard self-sufficiency to
emergency shelters and art. One of his notable works can be seen at the PGA headquarters where his
geodesic custom ‘golf ball’ greets all who enter the West Palm Beach Gardens location in Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oasis of Hollywood or your local SPCA or No Kill Animal
Shelter.
Our Sipapu Ern, loved music! Carlos Santana being his favorite followed closely by the Allman Bros.,
Marshall Tucker Band and many instrumental artists in almost every genre.
Ern had some funny sayings like Boojum: a term of endearment, along with Yerpa: his favorite word for
coffee and “egregious malfeasance” which referenced the general condition of our political world.
A funny and loveable guy to the very end, well-traveled and well spoken, believer and follower of Jesus,
Ern will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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