Individual Details

Death

Obituary: Clayton Aucoin, a resident of Pendleton, SC, died April 5, 2011 after a long and spirited battle with heart disease. Dr. Aucoin was born October 26, 1930 in Lincoln, NE. He was the son of the late Marcel and Lillie Aucoin of Pineville, Louisiana and the devoted husband of the late Claire Russell Aucoin. Dr. Aucoin graduated from Louisiana College in Pineville, LA and obtained a doctorate in mathematics from Auburn University. He did post doctoral work at Stanford University. On his first day as a student at Auburn, he met his future wife, Claire Russell, and they began an amazing personal and professional partnership of 54 years. After teaching mathematics at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, he was appointed the Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University in 1963 and worked to establish the graduate programs in mathematics. He was later appointed the Dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at Clemson. Dr. Aucoin retired from Clemson as a Professor of Mathematical Sciences in 1988, having maintained a career-long interest and dedication to teaching, student and faculty recruitment, and program and curriculum development. After his retirement, Dr. Aucoin was involved in real estate development in Clemson and Florida, enjoying time with his family, and Clemson sports. Dr. Aucoin is survived by his three children Leslie Aucoin with husband Vernon Drew of Silver Spring MD; Marcia Springfield with husband Randy of Chapel Hill, NC; and Ralph Aucoin with wife Marisol of Clemson; by his five beloved grandchildren Patrick and Kelly Springfield, Thomas Drew, and Kevin and Jean Paul Aucoin; by his brother Marcel Aucoin, Jr. of Pineville, LA; and by special friend Liz Tidwell of Pendleton, SC. Dr. Aucoin will be remembered for his high principles, sharp mind, and love of family and friends. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Pendleton, 351 South Broad Street, Pendleton, SC, 29670 at 11 am on Saturday April 9, 2011. After the service the family will host a reception at in Kresge Hall, the Outdoor Lab of Clemson University, 415 Charlie White Trail (off West Queen Street), Pendleton, SC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Clayton and Claire Aucoin Endowment Fund, Clemson University Foundation, PO Box 1899, Clemson, SC. 29633-1899; to the Hospice of Foothills Foundation in Seneca, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC. 29672; or to First Baptist Church of Pendleton. Cremation Society of South Carolina Published in The Greenville News on April 8, 2011