William Dudley Oakes

Today we celebrate the life of William Dudley Oakes, age 66, who passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023 at home in New Orleans, LA, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born to Albert Womble Oakes III and Frances Musgrove Oakes in Richmond, VA on January 8, 1957, where he grew up with his older brothers Albert Womble Oakes IV and Robert David Oakes.

Dudley Oakes was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Womble Oakes III and Frances Musgrove Oakes. He leaves behind his devoted husband J. Thomas Mitts and faithful canine companion Winston, as well as his brothers Albert Womble Oakes IV and Robert David Oakes and his wife Ann, in addition to many loving nieces and nephews in the Richmond, VA area.

As a young man Dudley was active in the Scouting program, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1975 he graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School in Richmond, VA and continued his education at the University of Richmond, where he studied organ with Suzanne Kidd Bunting and graduated with the Bachelor of Music degree in 1979.

Dudley then left Virginia to study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, first with Marilyn Mason for the Master of Music degree in 1981, and then with Robert Glasgow for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1988. While a student there he was a Finalist in the prestigious Grand Prix de Chartres, the International Organ-Playing Competition held at the Chartres Cathedral in France. For the rest of his life he concertized extensively throughout the eastern United States and Europe.

In 1988, Dudley began his long association with Orgues Létourneau of Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, known as Létourneau Organs in the United States, where he rose to the position of Vice President for Sales and Marketing. In 2019 Dudley purchased the company and became its President. As a result of his unstinting quest for excellence, Létourneau Organs currently has a four-year waitlist.

In 1993 Dudley met Thomas Mitts, and they immediately formed a relationship that blossomed from love-at-first-sight into an enduring 30-year union. They were married on December 11, 2021 in their home in New Orleans. They collaborated on organ recital tours in France, Italy, Belgium, and Russia.

Throughout his career, Dudley has served as Organist/Choirmaster at St. James Episcopal Church in Grosse Ile, MI; Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA (interim), First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA; St. John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown, DC; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill, DC; and Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, VA. He taught Organ Performance and Literature, Music Theory, and most notably Sight-Singing at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA and at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA.

Memorial Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18 at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, LA, preceded by a Gathering Time with the family in the Church Parlor at 6:30; and at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Washington, DC, followed by a Repast in the Parish Hall. The Internment Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 at Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, VA.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation and thanks to Dudley’s niece, Charlotte Oakes Suhr, and to the Guardian Angel Hospice of Metairie, LA, who provided such loving healthcare to Dudley in his final days, allowing him to depart in peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Organ Fund at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118; or The Organ Restoration Project at Grace Lutheran Church, 26 W. Boscawen Street, Winchester, VA 22601. Both projects, close to Dudley’s heart, will be completed by Létourneau Organs.

The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.