Donald Oakes Obituary

The passing of Donald Oakes of Roanoke, Virginia leaves a void in the hearts of many, as we bid farewell to a loving soul who departed on March 29, 2025 at the age of 86. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

As we bid Donald farewell, let us not mourn the absence of his physical form, but rather celebrate the essence of his spirit that lingers in the spaces between moments. For Donald is not truly gone, but merely transformed, his energy intertwined with the fabric of the universe itself, forever dancing among the stars.

He is survived by: his wife Darlene J. Oakes of Roanoke; his children, Dawn Ketterer (Gregg) and Drew Oakes; his grandson Justin Oakes; his great grandchild Hannah Oakes; his sisters, Littie Mae Hambrick and Patricia Tate; and his brother-in-law Chester Jones. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Even after retiring from teaching, he continued to substitute teach until the pandemic hit in 2020.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, your favorite charity, a scholarship fund, or plant a tree in honor of Coach Oakes.