Thomas Edmond Oakes

The first child of Jim and Leila, he weighed in at over 11 lbs. He proved himself to be very strong and athletic when he delivered groceries for the corner deli accompanied by his faithful dog, Bingo. He excelled in sports in school being on the swim team, golf team and playing football during his high school years. He was a Boy Scout and achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Tommy was a lifelong athlete and championship golfer, having won the first annual Camp Lurecrest Open in Lake Lure, NC.

While in high school he met his future wife, LaVerne Robinson, at the local church their families attended. In Tommy’s senior year, he was called to serve in the military during the Korean War and left for basic training in San Antonio, TX, in the spring of 1951. He was an ambulance driver who attended wounded soldiers upon their return to the US from the war front. He had asked his girlfriend, LaVerne, to be his bride and Tommy returned home on leave to marry her on September 4, 1951. They both took the long train ride back to San Antonio and set up house together. Tom was then deployed to Nouasseur Air Base near Casablanca in Morocco, N Africa. While there, he was the personal driver for General James L Jackson.

Upon his return to civilian life, he worked for the US State Department and then started a career in sales. He was an excellent salesman due to his big smile, and friendly, outgoing, affable nature. He and LaVerne have 4 children, the oldest (Michael) born while he was deployed to N Africa, followed by Barry, Charlene and Cheryl. People often commented that they had never known a father who loved his children as much as Tommy!

Tom’s real passion in life was serving others. He volunteered every chance he got helping with church activities, being a Boy Scout leader, and being the head chef at family reunions. He perfected his chef skills at Camp Lurecrest while cooking for volunteers, staff and campers for a joyous 44 years. It was a rewarding time for him and he recently commented that he was looking forward to “sharing an omelette with Merle”, the head cook at camp, when he gets to Heaven. He would be honored if you made a donation in his memory to www: camplurecrest.org.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Leila Oakes, a sister Shirley Drennan (Garland) and a brother, Richard Oakes (Nita). He also leaves behind 4 cousins, 1 neice and 1 nephew on the Oakes side of the family. Tom is survived by his wife of 74 years, LaVerne, 4 children Michael (Deborah, deceased), Barry (Debbie, deceased), Charlene Kelly (Rob), and Cheryl Stringfellow (Tom). He has 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his much loved Robinson family, LaVerne’s sisters and brother, and all the nieces and nephews.

Tommy and LaVerne have spent the last 74+ years side by side, faithfully loving and caring for each other. The two of them made the decision to remain together until LaVerne’s passing when their urns will be carried together to Fayetteville, GA, for their joint memorial service. “…whom God hath joined together, let no man separate.” Matt 19:6