Walter Oakes

Walter J. "Oakesy" Oakes died Sunday in California. He was the widower of Frances Oakes.

He was a veteran and succeeded against all odds in becoming a bomber pilot during World War II. He and his wife hand-built their first home from used lumber and it is still standing today. He mastered many setbacks in his lifetime from personal to physical and uncomplaining he always said, "Take what you've been dealt and deal with it."

He is survived by his sons, granddaughters, grandsons, great-granddaughters, great-grandsons and a great-great-grandson.

His wish was to be laid to rest next to his wife, Frances, in a private ceremony.

Lift a toast to him, say a prayer for him or contribute to a favorite charity in his name. Do not mourn for him. He had a long, positive, wonderful life. A final saying would be "bury me beneath the sweet snow of a young apple tree in the spring that I might help its boughs to grow, a better place for summer birds to sing."