Raymond Elwin Aiken

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Raymond Elwin Aiken who peacefully departed this world at the age of 91 on December 22nd 2023 at Swedish Edmonds Hospital. He was born to parents Owen Donald Aiken and Ida Ireen Aiken on September 2nd, 1932 in Spring City, Utah. He attended Blackfoot High School and graduated in 1950. He joined the National Guard after high school and was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He served in Hanau, Germany as a signal message clerk and driver. After 2 years, and receiving an honorable discharge, he went to work for the CIA in Washington, DC. While waiting for his clearance, he attended BYU and met his future wife, LuJean Cowan whom he would later marry for time and all eternity on August 17th, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. Upon graduating from BYU with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and earning a credential as a school psychologist and teacher, he went to work as the first school psychologist in the Central Alaska area in Fairbanks. After a move to Las Cruces, NM, they both decided to look for greener pastures in California where Ray landed a school psychologist position in Modesto. He retired in 1990 and focused more on his family and rentals. He was very active in the LDS church and served in two bishoprics and many other callings. He enjoyed traveling with family, playing games, a wry sense of humor and he always loved his dogs. He was fiercely independent, steadfast and always a lot of fun. He will be missed by his family and friends. Ray is survived by his two daughters Debra Romero of Tustin, CA and Leslie Aiken of Seattle, WA; 4 grandchildren Philip Ray Romero, Paige Elizabeth Romero, James Raven Blanchard and Elise Kristine Blanchard; a brother Donald Lee Aiken of Idaho Falls, ID. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife LuJean and his son, Steven Ray Aiken. As we say our goodbyes, let us remember Ray not with sorrow, but with gratitude for the time we shared, the lessons he imparted, and the love that will continue to bind us together. May he rest in peace, surrounded by the eternal embrace of fond memories and the enduring love of those he held dear.

A memorial service for Raymond will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 14901 30th Ave Ne, Shoreline, Washington 98155.