Mr. Roger Earl Oakes, 83, of Hampton, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital following an extended illness.
He was the son of the late Harlan W. and Louise Sturm Oakes and was born in Carter County.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, (Bobby) Oakes, Glenn Oakes, Gerald (Jerry) Oakes; a sister, Marilyn Oakes; a son-in-law, Richard (Rickie) Knickerbocker; a brother-in-law, Edgar Sonny Perry; two sisters-in-law, Janet Renee Oakes and Elsie Oakes.
Mr. Oakes was a graduate of Hampton High School and a veteran of the United States Army Air Force. He was a member of Sims Hill Christian Church.
He moved to Akron, OH, to work: at Ford Motor Company, and as an insurance salesman, however, his life choice as a career was the home improvement field. He retired at age sixty-five to return to his beloved mountains where he had always loved to hunt, fish and hike. Mr. Oakes had a heart for others; his compassion and help to other people earned him many friends. He will be sorely missed by his friends and family alike.
He is survived by his wife, Louise A. Webb Oakes, the love of his life, and his wife of sixty-one years, of the home; a daughter, Deborah Oakes Knickerbocker, Hampton; a son, Harlan Lloyd Oakes and his wife, Debby, Akron, OH; three grandchildren, Kelly Knickerbocker, Hampton, Chaz Oakes and his wife, Tiffany, Akron, OH, Chelsey Oakes Harte and her husband, Derrick, Akron, OH; a great-grandchild, Logan Harte, Akron, OH; a sister, Faye Lynn Oakes Perry, Hampton; and a special niece, Nanette Perry Carver, Johnson City. Several other nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service for Mr. Oakes will be conducted on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at 4:00 PM in the Tetrick Funeral Home, Chapel of Peace, Elizabethton, with Mr. Bret Jones, minister, and Dr. Mike Pinner officiating. Music will be under the direction of the Sims Hill Christian Church Quartet.
The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Saturday prior to the service or at the residence at other times.
The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Sunday, November 20, 2011, at 3:00 PM at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Mitch Perry Sr., Mitch Perry Jr., Alex Perry, Danny Carver and Chaz Oakes. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Weaver, Don Banner, Mack Henry, Deacons, Elders and his church family of Sims Hill Christian Church.
Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #49. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 2:15 PM on Sunday to go in procession to the cemetery.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Sims Hill Christian Church Building Fund, â„… Sandy Cole, 1669 Powder Branch Road, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax 423-542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the family. Office 423-542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917.
