Robert Don

Aiken

Robert Do n Aiken, 82, of Roscoe passed away March 3, 2021 at his home.

Don was born May 3, 1938 in Roscoe to the late Edwin Hen ry , Sr. and Linnie Lorene ( Matthews) Aiken. In 1961 h e began managing th e Aiken Ranch in Fis her Co u n ty wh ere he would rai se and sell cattle for many years. Don married Kay Anne Keplinger in 1965 an d they made their home on the Aiken Ranch until 1979 before moving to Roscoe. He graduated from Newman High Sch ool in 1956 and played as Quarterback for the Mustang s.

Don was a pa st member of the Sweetwater Jaycees and took part in the 1 st and 2 nd annual Rattlesnake Round- U p . He also hosted many snake hunts o n the ranch. Don was involved with UGSA Girls S oftbal l and not only coached many teams but also served on the board. He was an avid suppo rter of b obwhite q uail c onservation and offered his land for B obwhite R ese a rch T eams. Don also supported the Bobwhite Brigade which edu cates youth on Texas quail and natural re source management and served on the Advisory Committee for the Rolling Plains Quail Rese a rch Ra nch Program. Land conservation was his passion and he received , along with his brother E d, t he Outstanding Lone Star Land Steward Award fro m the Texas Park s and Wildlife Department. Don was also awarded Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist.

He was a loving hus band, daddy, uncle Don , P ap P a and friend and will be remembered for hi s quick wit and humor and seldom passed up an opportunity to play a practical joke on those he loved.

He is survived b y his wife of 56 years ; Kay of Roscoe, son; Cory Aiken and wife Cari of Round Rock, daughter; Donna Kay Little and husband Gregg of Fayette vi lle, Arkansas , grandchildren; Braden, Cooper and Brock Little of Fayetteville, sister-in-law; Nancy Aiken of Sweetwater, neph ews; Trey Aiken and wi fe Susan of Abilene, Todd Aiken and wife Ma ry Ellen of Ho u s ton and Chris Aiken and wife Lesley of Edmond, Oklahoma, seven great nieces and nephews, two great-great nephews and his aunt; Frances Hennigan of Arlington, Texas.

Don was also preceded in death by his brother; E dwin H. Aiken, Jr. January 5, 2021.

A private memorial service will be he ld with fami ly members at a future date. McCoy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

I n lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church in Roscoe.