He served the community in many different ways. As a teen, he carried the mail, first by mule, later by car in the Old Mac community. He drove a taxi cab for Mike’s Cab Company in Campbellsville and was a lineman for REA (now RECC). In 1953, he began a 39-year career at Fruit of the Loom in the bleach house for 75¢ an hour, later transferred to sewing machine mechanic and promoted to supervisor. He was an auxiliary police officer for the City of Campbellsville during the early 1970’s and assisted families during the April 1974 tornado outbreak. He was appointed a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Julian Carroll. In retirement, he continued repairing sewing machines for many members of the community free of charge.
He professed faith in Christ and was a member of South Campbellsville Baptist Church.
He enjoyed playing guitar, playing cards, landscape acrylic painting, handcrafting bone-handled knives, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He united in marriage to Henrietta Glenn on October 17, 1947. Besides his wife, Henrietta of Campbellsville, he is survived by: one daughter and one son: Linda Oakes Russell and husband, Steve of Campbellsville, and Mark Oakes of Campbellsville.
Four grandchildren: Kathy Oakes England and husband, Joey of Campbellsville, S Isaac Russell and wife, Rebekah of Bowling Green, Whitney Oakes Graham and husband, Neal of Campbellsville, and Andrew Oakes and wife, Cora of Campbellsville.
Five great-grandchildren: Trey Graham, Maggie Oakes, Brooklyn England, Gabby England, and Shiann England; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers: Lester Oakes and a brother in infancy; and three sisters: Ida Warren, Sadie Clark, and Dorothy Atwell.
VISITATION: After 9:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home
FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by Rev. Shaun Caudill and Bro. Tim Coghill
BURIAL: Brookside Cemetery
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY REQUESTED TO BE DONATIONS TO SOUTH CAMPBELLSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH OR GIDEON BIBLES AND MAY BE MADE AT PARROTT & RAMSEY FUNERAL HOME