Donald C Oakes

Donald C. Oakes passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at VA Hospital in Salisbury.  A small graveside service will be held Monday July 8th at 12:00 P.M. at Guil-Rand Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Bill Barnes officiating.  Don was born on November 15, 1938.  He was preceded in death by his wife Ermel Swiney Oakes, Parents Floyd and Mae Franklin Oakes, Brothers – Billy, Robert, Ronald, and Stuart, Sisters – Edith and Ethel Oakes.

Don was survived by his son Billy Oakes of Sophia, Daughter Bonnie Thomas and husband Brady of Randleman, sons Randy of Bristol, Tenn., Rick Swiney and wife Linda of Grundy, Va., Fred Swiney of Asheboro, Dave Hurley of Randleman, Sister Freida Cox and husband Marvin of Cedar Falls and brother Eugene Oakes of Elizabethan, Tenn., Seven Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren and one Great, Great Grandchild.

Don was also a Veteran of the US Army, having served in the military during his youth.

Don worked for many years as a bricklayer with Sparks Masonry Co. and was responsible for some of the most beautiful forms of brick laying in and around the Greensboro area.

Don was of the Christian Faith and was devoted to his love of the Lord Jesus Christ and was unwavering in his Bible studies.

Don was a kind and gentle man and when you met him you were his friend almost immediately.  He was an even bigger hit with children.  When he married his wife Ermel, she brought to his family of two, a grown daughter and four grown sons and Grandchildren to blend into one big happy extended family.

Oh my goodness how he loved those Grandchildren.  He was such a clown with them and they loved every minute.  As the Grandchildren grew up they had little ones and he gave them the same love and attention, but maybe just a little bit slower to move and he surely couldn’t run like he used to but he could still fit into a Santa suit and play that part Oh so well.

Don you’ve been a master of many talents through the years, Son, Brother, Father, Husband, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Great Great-Grandfather and most importantly of all Christian, faithful follower of Christ.  -Well Done Good and Faithful Servant – Matthew 25:21.

So very sad to see you go but you can rest now Dad.  We will think of you every day and even though you are gone you will surely never be forgotten.

Family of DONALD C. OAKES