Delbert Lee Oakes was born the son of Arthur Oakes and Myrtle (Wicker) Oakes on March 21, 1935, in Hardy, Arkansas, and died on August 25, 2015, in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 80 years.
He is survived by three daughters, Linda Boyd of Long Beach, Mississippi, Karen Hayden of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and Janet Powell and husband, James of Gulf Port, Mississippi; eight grandchildren, Brett Richards, Brian McBride II, Joshua Pace, Amanda Crose, Heather Pace, Adam Miller, Brittany Smith, and Melissa Hayden; eleven great grandchildren; three brothers, Melburn Oakes of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Arthur Oakes, Jr. and wife, Charlotte of Thayer, Missouri, and Jerry Oakes and wife, Ella of Thayer, Missouri; one sister, Leta Case and husband, Harlin of Hardy, Arkansas; and one uncle, Norman Oakes of Hardy, Arkansas; other relatives, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Arthur and Myrtle Oakes.
Delbert was employed as an assembly line worker at Ford Motor Company in St. Louis, Missouri, retiring after twenty-eight years of service.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish, especially fishing on the Mississippi River. Delbert enjoyed gardening and tending to his apple and peach orchard.
He was a great storyteller and would entertain others as long as they cared to sit and listen.
Delbert will be remembered as a kind and simple man who enjoyed the beauty of nature and everything it gave to him. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services for Mr. Oakes will be held Friday, August 28, 2015, at 10:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Shawn Deree officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer on Thursday evening, August 27th, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in McCollough Cemetery near Wirth, Arkansas, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
August 26, 2015 @ 2:07 pm
We are going to miss Delbert. A lot. He was our neighborhood angel, as Richard always said, helping everyone and sharing. His presence on his front porch, waving at all who drove by, stays in our memory.
August 28, 2015 @ 4:26 pm
My deepest sympathy to the Oaks family. Delbert will be missed by those who knew him. I was always glad to talk with him he had a kind heart warm spirit. Thinking of all of you as you bury Delbert and after to find peace.