Vance Crawford Aiken

Vance Crawford Aiken passed away Saturday, October 17, 2020 surrounded by his family. He was 73. Born in Emporia, Kansas on September 18, 1947, Vance was the oldest of five children born to James Riley Aiken and Beulah Belle Crawford Aiken.

His family moved to Norman in 1960. Vance was a 1965 graduate of University High School in Norman, where he lettered in track. He was a 1970 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Social Studies. His did his student teaching at West Junior High School. He was a member of the Alpha Sigma Chi service fraternity and Boy Scouts of America.

Vance loved to travel. He visited 49 states – he was only missing Alaska. He traveled worldwide including numerous trips to Mexico, Europe, and Russia. He was fluent in Spanish, loved the Mexican culture, and enjoyed listening to Mariachi music. He loved to visit National Parks. He enjoyed camping and hiking. He loved going on family road trips, and he always believed that you learn more from a vacation than sitting in a classroom. He liked to take videos and photographs of trips, and he enjoyed sharing slide shows to family and friends. He owned several classic cars including a ’63 Pontiac LeMans convertible, ’65 Mustang convertible, ’67 Chevelle SS, and a Ford Model A. He also had many motorcycles, and he bought a 1960 Vespa from Sears when he was 13 to use for his paper route in Norman. In 1967, Vance traveled all summer throughout Europe on that Vespa. On the 50th anniversary of that trip, he had the Vespa fully restored.

In November 1970, Vance married Charolette Goatcher Aiken. After their honeymoon in Monterrey and Guadalajara, Mexico, they lived in Norman, and later moved to Dallas, Texas in 1973 for work. They had two children, Chelle Anne born in 1977 and William Blaine born in 1979, while in Dallas. They moved back to Norman in 1980 to be close to family. The Aikens’ marriage ended in the 1990’s but the couple’s friendship endured.

Vance worked for nearly 30 years as a restaurant manager at Wyatt Cafeterias in Dallas and Port Arthur, TX, and for McDonald’s Corp in Norman and OKC. After retirement in 1995, Vance delivered newspapers for the Daily Oklahoman and the Norman Transcript. He also operated a lawncare business for many years. He enjoyed providing excellent customer service to his paper and lawncare customers. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work.

Vance loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren – they all called him Pops. He attended all of their school and sporting events. He loved traveling with his kids, even taking their friends on trips with them, as well, and sharing his love of travel. He loved helping Luke with his Mustang convertible and watching “Jeopardy” with Grace after school. He will truly be missed every day by his family.

Vance was hospitalized shortly before his 73rd birthday and diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. He died at home on October 17th surrounded by his family.

Vance was preceded in death by his parents, older brothers Bruce and David and older sister Betsy, all of Texas; brothers-in-law Laree Peters of Tulsa, and Larry Maloy of Norman, and an infant nephew.

Survivors include his daughter Chelle and her children Luke and Grace Danner, his son Blaine and former wife, Charolette, all of Norman. He is survived by his sister Martha Peters, of Tulsa, her sons Geoffrey, Sean, and Jacob; brother Kirby Aiken and his wife Jeanie of Norman, their children Arthur, Amy, and Emily; sister Taska Buettner and her husband Dennis of Norman, their children Stephanie, Courtney, and Lindsey; brother Milam Aiken of Oxford, MS; nieces Cori and Allison Aiken and Sherrie and Seana Maloy.

A celebration of Vance’s life will be presented by Bill D. Mayes on Saturday, October 24th at 10:00am at Primrose Funeral Chapel on North Porter. A procession will follow to Sunset Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made in Vance’s name to Mission Norman, Food and Shelter for Friends, or the Noble Church of Christ Clothing House.