George “Monk” Leonard Aitken III,
October 8, 1950 – November 8, 2026

George Leonard Aitken III, 76, passed away early Sunday morning, November 8, 2026, at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Born on October 8, 1950, in West Helena, Arkansas, in Phillips County, he was the son of George Leonard Aitken JR. and Julia Anne “Bivens” Aitken.

He graduated from Central High School in Helena, Arkansas, in 1968, where he was a two-sport letterman in football and basketball. He went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas.

He spent much of his professional career in sporting goods sales, a fitting career for someone with a lifelong connection to athletics and sports.

He was a member of Goddard United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Leonard Aitken JR.

He is survived by two sons, Shane Aitken and wife Tina of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Todd Aitken and wife Nikki of Hot Springs, Arkansas. His mother, Julia Aitken of Germantown, Tennessee; two brothers, David Aitken and wife Vivian of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and John Aitken and wife Jody of Collierville, Tennessee.

He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Utah Aitken, Mason Clark, Daylee Garrett, Brayden Aitken , Isabella Aitken, and Griffin Aitken; three great-grandchildren: Kipton, Evren, and Paxton; numerous nieces and nephews; and his longtime friend, Linda McAdams.

A private family memorial will be held to honor his life.

Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com