Martha Jane Wilkie Oakes and James Walter Oakes

James Walter Oakes, 91 of Lakewood passed away January 12, 2019. He was preceded in death by his grandparents James and Marie Petersen, his aunt Carrie Petersen, his parents Walter and Agnes Oakes, and a sister Shirley LaVoie, and a nephew Robert LaVoie.

Jim was born April 28, 1927 in Denver, Colorado to Walter and Agnes Oakes. As a youth he went to Lakewood High School where he played football and won a state championship in track. He was an Eagle Scout.

Martha Jane Wilkie Oakes, 94 of Lakewood passed away June 22, 2024. She was proceeded in death by her husband James Walter Oakes, her parents Lonnie Sr and Minnie Wilkie, and brothers Lonnie Jr, and his twin brother John, William and Earl Wilkie. And more recently by grandson Nick Vaughn.

Martha was born August 3, 1929 in Farmington, New Mexico. The family moved to Waukegan, Illinois and later to Arvada, Colorado.

Jim served in the Navy on board the USS Duluth in the Pacific Theater. He was present at the signing of the peace treaty with Japan.

Following the war he worked at the Denver Post where he met Martha Jane Wilkie. They were married October 6, 1950 and left the next day to live in Portland, Oregon. They later returned to Lakewood, Colorado in 1965 to care for Jim’s parents.

Martha became a Christian at the age of nine. Jim became a Christian as a teenager. They spent their lives following their Lord. They were active members of Lakewood Baptist Church. Jim enjoyed being part of the Nehemiah Wall Builders - a group of men who used their building and handyman skills to to maintain the church and Woodbine Camp. Martha was church secretary.

Jim was a lifelong fisherman - loving especially salmon fishing in Oregon and trolling the big lakes in the Brainard area and the Grand Mesa. Martha loved fishing with Jim - in fact they were quite competitive. And they lived to travel - seeing our entire country - twice to Alaska - and Europe.

Jim was an award winning Master Gardener. They were both very good cooks and enjoyed entertaining.

Martha was a life long crafter including museum quality counted cross stitch and painting. She was a prolific reader and encouraged others to read.

The word that best describes both Jim and Martha was “advocate.” Whether it was family or friends they both spent their lives being there for others - advocating for them.

Martha believed in doing what you can to help others - and that included giving multiple gallons of blood, plasma, and blood platelets - so much so that she was honored by Bonfils Blood Center and the Denver Broncos.

Martha was a life long walker. She and Jim walked every morning and loved participating in the Boulder Bolder, Cherry Creek Turkey Trots, and other races.

Upon retirement Jim and Martha became long time volunteers delivering food to the Jeffco Action Center.

They are survived by their children Kevin Oakes (Marleen), Jeff Oakes (Lynn), Rebecca Johnson (Robert), Amy Oakes (Max), eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.