Madras resident Donald James Aitken died Nov. 5, 2007, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend following heart bypass surgery. He was 78.
Mr. Aitken was born in Bend on Jan. 15, 1929, the son of George E. and Mary Grace (Cyrus) Aitken of Sisters. He attended schools in Sisters and graduated from Redmond High School. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953, after working in a gas station on the family property in Sisters.
Following his service in the Army, Mr. Aitken worked for Leonard Lundgren Lumber Company of Bend. His work eventually lead him to Rapid City, S.D., where he oversaw the construction and early management of Rushmore Lumber Company. He met Drucilla (Bartlett) Aitken, while working at Leonard Lundgren Lumber Company, and they married in 1957.
In 1958, he returned to Portland Oregon, where he owned and operated a service station. In 1959, he moved to Madras and worked for Miller Lumber and Copeland Lumber Yards before starting his own business, Madras Builders Center, in 1966 with Wayne Gilbertson. He was later joined by partner, Gary Jones. After 40 years, the business was sold and he retired.
Since retiring, Mr Aitken enjoyed spending time with his extended family. He and his wife had recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.
During his life in Madras he served on the boards of the Jefferson County School District, Mountain View Hospital and the Columbia River Bank. He was known for his generous donation of materials to many local organizations.
Remaining family are his wife, Drucilla Aitken of Madras; his brother, Kenneth Aitken, 90, of Bakersfield, Calif.; his son, Kevin Aitken and daughter-in-law, Judy Hart; his grandson, Brandon Aitken; his exchange daughter from Norway, Tove Tvedt Skarstein; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Services were held Nov. 12, at the Madras United Methodist Church, and the graveside service was Nov. 13, at the Mount Jefferson Memorial Park in Madras.
Memorial contributions have been suggested to the American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization (for the research and education of breast cancer), or the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were under the direction of Bel-Air Colonial Funeral Home of Madras.
Madras resident Donald James Aitken died Nov. 5, 2007, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend following heart bypass surgery. He was 78.
Mr. Aitken was born in Bend on Jan. 15, 1929, the son of George E. and Mary Grace (Cyrus) Aitken of Sisters. He attended schools in Sisters and graduated from Redmond High School. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953, after working in a gas station on the family property in Sisters.
Following his service in the Army, Mr. Aitken worked for Leonard Lundgren Lumber Company of Bend. His work eventually lead him to Rapid City, S.D., where he oversaw the construction and early management of Rushmore Lumber Company. He met Drucilla (Bartlett) Aitken, while working at Leonard Lundgren Lumber Company, and they married in 1957.
In 1958, he returned to Portland Oregon, where he owned and operated a service station. In 1959, he moved to Madras and worked for Miller Lumber and Copeland Lumber Yards before starting his own business, Madras Builders Center, in 1966 with Wayne Gilbertson. He was later joined by partner, Gary Jones. After 40 years, the business was sold and he retired.
Since retiring, Mr Aitken enjoyed spending time with his extended family. He and his wife had recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.
During his life in Madras he served on the boards of the Jefferson County School District, Mountain View Hospital and the Columbia River Bank. He was known for his generous donation of materials to many local organizations.
Remaining family are his wife, Drucilla Aitken of Madras; his brother, Kenneth Aitken, 90, of Bakersfield, Calif.; his son, Kevin Aitken and daughter-in-law, Judy Hart; his grandson, Brandon Aitken; his exchange daughter from Norway, Tove Tvedt Skarstein; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Services were held Nov. 12, at the Madras United Methodist Church, and the graveside service was Nov. 13, at the Mount Jefferson Memorial Park in Madras.
Memorial contributions have been suggested to the American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization (for the research and education of breast cancer), or the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were under the direction of Bel-Air Colonial Funeral Home of Madras.
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