A senate RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF Frederick Joseph Aun AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Frederick Joseph Aun on April 28, 2024; and

Whereas, a native of Lexington, Mr. Aun was born on March 18, 1953 as one of eleven children to parents Michael A. Aun Sr. and Alice Mack Aun, daughter of the late Elias S. Mack Sr. and sister to Elias S. Mack Jr., both former Mayors of the Town of Lexington, and Cora Delle Parker Mack; and

Whereas, Mr. Aun attended Tina's Kindergarten, the first pre-school in Lexington, founded by his departed step-grandmother Ernestine Roberts Mack, where hundreds of children of Lexington started their academic lives and where he made lifelong Lexington friends; and

Whereas, Mr. Aun completed high school and later quickly proved himself a quintessential restauranteur when he was appointed to launch Aun's Feed Stable, a family restaurant that evolved into a rustic symbol of country western life that was imbued with original folk art painted by his father "Michael A," many remnants of which have now been archived with the South Carolina State Museum as examples of the incredible history of "folk art" in the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, as the creative genius behind the concept and idea of "Aun's Feed Stable," Mr. Aun brilliantly created a menu that embodied the community flavor with sandwiches such as "The Wildcat" and "Cat's Paw," honoring the Lexington Fighting Wildcats, and through his vision, provided a platform for local country western and bluegrass musical performers to showcase their lyrical acumen and musical talents, as The Feed Stable had live music on the weekends; and

Whereas, the live entertainment included notable groups such as national recording artist Rob Crosby, the Apple Ensemble, Leon Nelson, Ed Pollack, and countless others over the span of more than ten years; and

Whereas, Aun's Feed Stable was frequently touted by The State Newspaper as "the place to be in the Midlands on a weekend" and was considered a dining destination in not only South Carolina, but the southeast, with one of the most eclectic atmospheres in the restaurant industry at the time; and

Whereas, under Mr. Aun's leadership, Aun's Feed Stable achieved national recognition when selected as one of the Top Ten "Roadhouse" restaurants in the United States by a national publication, thereby bringing notoriety to the then small town of Lexington and attracting thousands of people from throughout the nation to his beloved hometown; and

Whereas, a caring and loving man throughout his life, Mr. Aun learned that with success there is responsibility, and he frequently volunteered time, talent, and resources from Aun's Feed Stable to local schools and charities to help with various causes; and

Whereas, Mr. Aun's "people person" spirit continued to drive him to develop ideas for the community to come together for simple fun, such as hosting the first annual Armadillo Cotillion, participating in the Saxe Gotha Festival in the Town of Lexington, and fish fries, all of which led to the establishment of the "Feed Stable" being one of the top catering restaurants at the time and building one of the biggest sub sandwiches ever created at the time; and

Whereas, Mr. Aun leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Polly Aun Gathings, married to local contractor Cliffton Gathings; three grandchildren, Gabrielle, Isabelle, and Carter; his first wife, Jan Jernigan; and his siblings, Mary Aun, George Aun, Michael Aun II, Lorraine Aun Barakat, Charlie Aun, Jeannine Aun, Therese Aun, John Aun, Fran Aun, and Andy Aun. He will also be mourned by the family of his second wife, the late Sandra Cox. He will be greatly missed.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Frederick Joseph Aun and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Frederick Joseph Aun.

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