George Donald “Don” Oakes was born on August 3, 1949, in Pittsylvania County, VA, to the late George Ellis Oakes and Mary Frances Burch Oakes. Don was a natural-born athlete and master peacekeeper, so it’s no surprise that both the NBA and Third Geneva Convention were also created on this day.
As the youngest of three, Donnie was his mother Mary’s pride and joy. He loved sharing memories of his early life growing up on the family farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which instilled in him a lifelong passion for the outdoors, gardening, and expectations of agriculture and culinary excellence that very few could meet.
Though he was a star in both basketball and track and field throughout his youth, it was his early prowess as a baseball pitcher that earned him a scholarship to Elon University, where he curated an incomparable taste in music and style while making lifelong friends as a member of the ITK fraternity. Don excelled at many professional endeavors in the real estate field, but his most cherished role was as a devoted father who expected nothing but the best for, and from, his children.
Don is survived by his children Hunter and Meredith Oakes; former wife Dorothy Fagan; and brother Marvin Oakes. He was preceded in death by sister Jeanette Oakes Barbour.
A service will be held for family, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Farm Athletes, 85 N Hastings Avenue, Suite 200, Hastings, NE 68901.
Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.
