Jack Stanley Oakes

Oakes Jack Stanley Oakes, 78, of Rapid City, died Weds, April 2, 2003 at Rapid City Regional Hospital from complications after open heart surgery. Jack was born July 25, 1924 in Oakley, KS, to Leslie & Anne (Stanley) Oakes. Growing up in Kansas, he attended Oakley High School & became an accomplished trumpet player. Joining the army in 1942 at age 18, Jack was assigned to the Army Special Training Program & posted to the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City. It was not long before he met & married Peggy Voorhees, daughter of Harry & Bertha Voorhees of Arpan. They were married on Nov. 5, 1943, just 3 months later, and they would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. Before graduation from the School of Mines, Jack shipped out & served with Merrill's Marauders in Burma, India & China. He graduated from the School of Mines in 1949 as an electrical engineer & joined Northwestern Bell Telephone Co, retiring as General Manager of U.S. West Telephone Co. after 40 yrs. Jack was active in numerous community & church activities. He was chairman of the board for the Children's Gospel Mission in Mpls; served on the Metropolitan Planning Commission in MN; was elected to township supervisor for Eagle Creek Township and to the city council for Prior Lake, MN. Generous to a fault, Jack gave to others with a cheerful heart. He & Peggy were one of the 8 founders of The King's College in New York City & one of the founders of Minnesota Summit Project in St. Cloud, MN. Survivors include his dear wife of 59 years, Peggy; sister, Marcia Haley of Seymour, TX; brother-in-law, Wilfred Good of Brevard, NC; cousin Zel Kaselwicz of Baton Rouge, LA; daughter Michaele (David Lucca) of Hayward, WI; sons Stan (Ginger) of New York City; and Pat (Colleen) of St. Cloud, MN. Especially precious to Jack were his grandchildren, Mari Jo (36), Jonathan (31) & Nicole, Gianna (28) & Dan, Amy (26), Chris (21), Alyssa (19), Caleb (17) & Sarah (15). He even held his great grandchildren (very carefully) Matthias (3), Josh (2) & Nathan (1 month). The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sat, April 5th, at the Open Bible Christian Center with Rev. Les Potts officiating. Burial with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 at Black Hills National Cemetery 9 a.m. on Mon, April 7. A memorial has been established to The Kings College of New York City, N.Y. Arr.Osheim-Catron Funeral Home of Rapid City. With tears of joy, we celebrate his homegoing to be with the gracious God he loves.

Published on April 5, 2003