Mr Oakes 
I Miss you sooo much your friendship 
ment the world to me and thank you for 
Every thing I Love You!!!!!!!!!

He taught me much of early rock roots. A musician his whole life, true to the early early roots....playing rockabilly on LI long before Setzer came along. He knew of all the most obscure pioneers of rock. He turned me on to the likes of Bo Didley, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Blind Willie McTell, and more. I remember him coming into my college studio to record Peggy Sue for an assignment I had. He was singing "Sea of Love" long before the Honeydrippers. Those were his kind of songs. Last I heard from him was probably twenty years ago when he first went to Memphis and he wrote, "still playing unplugged and unknown". Long may you run Tommy, long may you run..................I wish things were different.

I wish I would have had some time with you, would have loved to hear stories of you and my father hitchhiking across the country

Mr. Oakes-
I will always remember you. You were so much fun. Love, Max Raynor

We love you Mr. Oakes! You will always be our mentor and friend!  I rembember first time when I took my 4 y old to Taekwondo and he was taking a nap in the car by the time we got there, so I asked Mr. Oakes what should I do, and he said: "wake him up"!! and the rest is history.
As parents we are very lucky to have had Mr. Oakes in our lives. Thank you Mr. Oakes!
Eunice and TJ Davis (big Tom Davis)

WEEP NOT FOR ME THOUGH I AM GONE IN THAT GENTLE NIGHT
GRIEVE, IF YOU WILL,BUT NOT FOR LONG UPON MY SOUL'S SWEET FLIGHT
I AM AT PEACE,MY SOUL'S AT REST, THERE IS NO NEED FOR TEARS
FOR WITH YOUR LOVE I WAS SO BLESSED FOR ALL THESE MANY YEARS
THERE IS NO PAIN, I SUFFER NOT THE FEAR NOW ALL IS GONE
PUT NOW THESE THINGS OUT OF YOUR THOUGHTS, IN YOUR MEMORY,I LIVE ON
REMEMBER NOT MY FIGHT FOR BREATH REMEMBER NOT THE STRIFE
PLEASE DO NOT DWELL UPON MY DEATH BUT CELEBRATE MY LIFE
 
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL PLEASE FIND COMFORT IN EACH OTHER...LOVE AUNT JEANIE

i remember his laugh like a bear he was always fun he will be missed

Although I didn't really know Uncle Tom, I know he was a good friend to my father and they had some great times together. My deepest condolences to my cousins and their families.

My family and I are grateful that our son Sean Guthrie was trained in TaeKwonDo by Mr. Oakes. Sean grew in confidence, strength and discipline under his tutillage and learned leadership skills as well. Mr. Oakes made his classes fun as well as informative and always had a joke ready for any circumstance. He will be missed by many youth and parents

The time was winding down my friend
and I didn't get enough
glad we got together to reminisce
about the heavy and the light stuff

I shed a tear for times gone by,I shed a tear for you
thankful for the memories,the adventures we went thru 
  

 the time just flies,and there's so much more to say
wish we could have had             just one more day
but now you're leaving,leaving on the mystery train
and I'm driving home                in the Memphis Rain

You finally found the path you were ment for and a love you deserved.  I am proud of all you accomplished and blessed that I was part of your life.  It isn't suppose to be this way - a father should leave the world first but you always were and will always be, in my heart.
Love, Dad

You finially found the path we were ment for and a love you deserved.  I am proud of all you accomplished and blessed for being part of your life.  It isn't suppose to be this way- a father should leave the world first, but you were always and will always be in my heart.
Love Dad

Dad, I want to say thank you for so much that you have taught me throughout my life. Ever since I was a little girl you have taught me the value of good morals and the significance of forgiveness. You have done so much for so many. Even though you are no longer with us, your legacy and your lessons live on. I admire what you have done and continue to do for your children at your school. I know that you will now be at peace. I love you and will miss you until we meet again. 
Love, your daughter Joie.

Dad, I want to say thank you so much for all that you have taught me throughout my life. Ever since I was a little girl you have taught me the value of good morals and the power of forgiveness. You have done so much for so many. Even though you are no longer with us, your legacy and your lessons will live on. I admire what you have done and continue to do for your children at your school and I know that you will now be at peace. I love you dearly and will miss you forever. 
Love, your daughter Joie.

I would like to say that I injoyed being able to see my daughter Janice,and my neice's Madison and Camden and my nephew's Grayson and Haisten, Mr. Tom was a great teacher to all at the Family Taekwondo Center when I was up there in May of last year,I could realy tell he loved those kids and the adults in all that they did, our deepest sympathies go out to your extended family.

My dearest Tom,
There are no words I can find to describe the loss of you. My Mom was so lucky to have you in her life. My thanks can never be enough for the way you took care of her and all your family and friends over the years. I will miss you terribly but I know you are with Mom now and I'm okay with that. I will do my best to keep my promise to you and your dream alive. Don't worry about your 'babies"..they are being taken care of. Thanks for being the BEST. You are in my heart forever. Will miss you "Pappy". 
Love, your daughter, Tracey-Anne

Im am so happy that I got a chance to see how many lives my father has touched. There are so many memories that I have with him as a child and am blessed that we got to see each other again...and we will see each other again in Heaven. I love you Dad..thank you for being a great teacher..Love your daughter Kelly

Tommy only now could we muster the strength to find the words to send this message that you have known for a long long time. You are now and forever with your one and only true love. We will miss you and pray for you both always. Our deepest sympathies go out to your extended family.

OBITUARY

Thomas Oakes

September 9, 1947 – March 30, 2011

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