John Spencer Harrison Aiken

A private graveside service will be held at Christ Church, with Reverend Alan Akridge officiating. Friends and well-wishers are invited to attend a Celebration of Life reception directly afterward, on Tuesday April 26th beginning at 5:30 PM at the Retreat Golf Club on St. Simons Island.

Harrison Aiken was a sixth-generation native of St. Simons Island. He was the son of the late Ike and Alice Aiken. He was President of the American National Bank, was a Glynn County Commissioner, an avid fisherman, hunter, airplane pilot and friend to so many.

Harrison’s grandfather, Franklin D. Aiken, owned and operated the St. Simons Transit Company that offered The Emmeline and Hessie ferry service between Brunswick and St. Simons. His Great-Grandfather, Mallory King (son of Thomas Butler King of Retreat Planation) was responsible for the first planned island subdivision (King City), hence many of the street names around the Pier Village Area reflect their family heritage (Mallory, Page, Florence, Frasier, Lord, Butler, King's Way, etc.)

When he was a boy, Harrison’s family lived on London Street in Brunswick, and during the summer months they "vacationed" at Sea Marsh (King City) on St. Simons. Harrison loved to ride his horse, hunt, and fish. Harrison graduated from the Suwanee Military Academy before attending the Citadel, Georgia Tech, and the University of Georgia, where he was a Chi Phi.

After college, Harrison served in the Korean War as a flight engineer where he flew C-124 transport planes. Upon returning from the war, he completed the highly-esteemed C&S Bank management training program and worked in its correspondent banking division. He then returned to Brunswick in the late 1950’s and became President of American National Bank. As a local banker, Harrison is remembered as an innovator in business where he led the bank to unprecedented growth.

After his banking career, Harrison built a successful International Marketing firm based in Germany that provided supplies to military commissaries all over Europe. After living in Germany for over 20 years, he retired and returned to St. Simons Island in 1988.

Harrison was an accomplished airplane pilot as well as a master fisherman. One favorite story involved him landing on the beach at Sapelo Island where he spotted a large school of red fish from the air. As the story goes, Harrison caught so many fish that day that when he had packed his catch into the small airplane, the vessel was so heavy that it could not successfully take off. Not wanting to forsake any of his catch, Harrison remedied the problem by filleting the fish right there on the beach, leaving the weighty bones behind.

Harrison was also a skilled boat captain. He once battled a Hurricane off of Cape Hatteras for three days before bringing his boat home safely. In his retirement, Harrison enjoyed wintering on his boat in the Florida Keys and took numerous extended voyages with his beloved wife, Mary. Harrison also worked as a yacht broker, and together with Cap Fendig, he helped bring the water taxi business to St. Simons Island.

Harrison was preceded in death by his mother and father and his grandparents F.D. and Louise Aiken. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Hand Aiken of Pelham and Saint Simons Island, GA; sons. Harry Aiken, Jr. of St. Simons Island, David Aiken of Atlanta, GA. and W. Page Aiken of St. Simons Island, and Daughter Caroline Aiken of Athens, GA; grandchildren, Harry III, Sarah Page, Mallory, Hannah, Isaac IV, Corbin, Jacob and Johnathan.

Harrison Aiken will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His loving family and friends will have many fond memories to cherish forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 900 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31520. The Aiken family appreciates the love, prayers, and support of our great community.