 Dear friend and teacher. Pre-Covid was the last time we talked and as I said then - I Love You John !  The trips we made to the desert and mountains have been with me and the times when you would ask me something profound as on top of Mesa Grande when we were gathering Spotted Owl " Cough Pellets" for some of the students at Mira Costa . We shared about an era gone past -   I will never forget the times you  were left in a hot canvas blind trying to get a picture . You told me one was lucky to get one good picture out of 1,000  !  The Picture of The Golden Eagle at arms length passing You on a cliff   That now was  hung on the Wall where you and Marge went to live later on.  It Spoke Volumes to the Priceless Gift You Were and still Are  for those that  came  to know you John. You Are  A Priceless and most Amazing Gift !   God Only Knows  John   ~~  Love You !  Ernie

I'm so sorry to be a year late with this message. John Oakley was my varsity baseball coach at Vista High School in 1967 and in 1968. He and my dad, Pat Mongoven, taught and coached alongside each other for many, many years at VHS. John, you always exuded class...and character...and brains (love your biology background!!!). You were a humble man. I wish that my VHS Panther baseball teams could've had more talent. You'd won championships before us! I know how special a man you were. Rest in Peace, Coach.

Jan Patrick Mongoven

John, Thank you so much for being such a wonderful mentor and teacher to me. You had a tremendous influence on me both personally and professionally. I will always cherish the times we spent together hiking into turkey vulture nests and searching for golden eagle nests on Palomar, and traveling to Baja together and getting stranded on Smith Island. I will think of you when I see turkey vultures soaring and when I travel through the San Luis Rey River Valley where you were born and raised. Soar like an eagle my dear friend.

John Oakley was my Vista high school science teacher.   He was a great teacher and over the years, he also became a good friend of my husband and I.   I will cherish our many memories of sitting in John and Marge’s living room talking about the good old days in Vista.  John was born and raised in Oceanside and his wife Marge was born & raised in Carlsbad.   They were both dedicated to teaching and their students.  John will be remembered fondly for his devotion to his family, friends, & students. May he Rest In Peace and enjoy refereeing all the football, basketball and baseball games in heaven. 

With a fond Aloha.  Anna & Chris Strawn

Eternal Hills Mortuary & Crematory at Eternal Hills Memorial Park

John Oakley

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

John Reginald Oakley

7 September, 1927 – 2 January, 2021

Eternal Hills Mortuary & Crematory at Eternal Hills Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services