Gerry J Aiken's Obituary
Our amazing dad, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully on 7 April 2026 in Salt Lake, Utah. Gerry J Aiken was born on 22 September 1945, in Blackfoot Idaho.
He is the 8th of nine children born to Terrance Watts Aiken and Crystal Beatrice Johansen. His brothers and sisters are Betty Aiken (Goodwin), Lois Aiken (Hansen), Terrance Reverl Aiken, Donald Bernell Aiken, Colleen Aiken (Harmon), Lou Dean Aiken (Shepherd), Kay Aiken (Sorensen), and Nancy Aiken, all of whom have preceded him in death.
He spent his early life living in Spring City where there were lots of adventures to be had, camping, fishing, and hunting. Gerry worked hard on his father’s farm doing chores and taking care of the sheep. He would leave each year to go with his parents to Blackfoot, Idaho for the potato harvest, then to Las Vegas for the winter months, then back to Spring City in the Spring.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for training, then deployed to serve in Vietnam. Being in the military was a huge part of his life, and he was greatly honored to serve his country! He served 3 tours in Vietnam and then went to Germany. During his career he received: the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 5 Overseas Bars, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marksman .45 Cal Pistol, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Then USAR EUR serving in Germany with the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, known as the Black Horse Regiment.
Gerry married Susan Barney from Spring City in 1968, the couple later divorced.
Gerry is the father of Jay Aiken (Kara), Darin T Aiken, Garth Dean Aiken, and Brian Aiken, and two stepsons with his wife Barbara, Stephen (Erin) Krex, Chicago, IL, Brian (Vanessa) Krex, New York NY, and a foster daughter, Wilda (Foster) Mooseman.
In 1977 he married Barbara Jean Powers. Gerry and Barbara lived in Blackfoot Idaho, where they owned and ran a local bar. They took their camp trailer to live in California on the Baja where they enjoyed the warm weather and fishing. Gerry was ambitious and creative and enjoyed creating works out of elk antlers. Gerry built his own business doing what he loved, GJA Custom Antlers.
Purchasing the family home his father, TW Aiken had started building in 1934 in Spring City was a lifelong dream. He made it happen and loved being home again near the Horseshoe Mountain.
All who had the privilege of knowing Gerry, and those who cared for him during the last few years of his life, expressed that he was the one that was always kind. He remained lifelong friends with Ken Nunley and Ray Tennison who had known Gerry since they were all youngsters getting into mischief. He was funny, witty and would tell us stories that left us laughing with tears rolling down our faces. Gerry was a war hero. But more importantly he was a hero in regular family life, teaching us the importance of family being together, and sharing with us his amazing sense of humor and then enduring to the end.
Gerry is survived by his sons Jay Aiken, Darin Aiken, stepsons Stephen and Brian Krex, Wilda Mooseman and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends who will truly miss him.
Graveside services with Military Honors will be held in the Spring City Cemetery, Saturday April 18th at 1 PM. Following these services there will be a memorial and gathering at the Bowery behind the old Spring City Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 164 S Main, Spring City, Utah. All that would like to attend are welcome, please come.
What’s your fondest memory of Gerry?
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Share a story where Gerry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gerry you’ll never forget.
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