Thomas R. Aikman

Thomas R. Aikman, age 85, of Dermott, Arkansas has taken his Heavenly flight but this time not in an airplane on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Dermott. Mr. Aikman was born February 21, 1931 at Dumas, Arkansas to the late Anson Aikman and Willie Mae Coburn. Mr. Aikman served in the U.S. Army for over 23 years including during the Korean and Vietnam wars before retiring as Chief Warrant Officer Three. He was a member of the Helena-West Helena Masons and Shriners. Mr. Aikman was chosen to carry the Presidential briefcase but he chose not to because he did not want to leave his family. He worked in the commercial bunker at Cape Canaveral and received special commendation from Wernher von Braun. He loved to scuba dive, play chess, spend time with his family and fly as a private pilot. He is survived by a son, Daryl Aikman (Mechelle) of Paragould; two grandchildren, Connor and Devan Aikman; sister, Martha Ann Barrett (Jimmy) of McGehee; brother, Douglas Coburn (Jo) of Mena; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Janice Spears Aikman; parents; his stepmother, Jessica Aikman; stepfather, Bill Coburn; and brother, Anson Robert "Ozzie" Aikman. A graveside service for Thomas Aikman will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.