In Memory

Joseph Oaks - Class Of 1965 VIEW PROFILE

Joseph Oaks

Joseph ‘Joe’ Edward Oaks, 75, died April 19, 2023, at Allenmore Hospital, Tacoma, Washington. He was born October 22, 1947 in Logansport, Indiana. The son of R. Ward Oaks and S. Rachel (Wilcox) Oaks.
Joe was a member of the Delphi United Methodist church. He attended Delphi High School class of 1965. Following high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served 3 years on the aircraft carrier, U.S. Ranger as a radarman in the Bay of Tonkin. He extended for an additional year and was a Helmsman on a Swift boat patrolling the rivers in Vietnam. While on patrol, his boat was hit by fire from shore, he suffered wounds and was awarded a Purple Heart for his sacrifice.
After his time in Vietnam, he returned to Indiana and married Valerie Shelby. Soon after they traveled west and settled in Washington State. They celebrated 53 years of marriage in September. Joe was a member of the Classical Glass Corvette Club for over 40 years. He also was a member of the American Legion. He worked for United Parcel Service for 17 years, and owned Soundview Limousine Company for 7 years before working as a driver for Schneider National Carriers for 10 years, retiring in 2010.
He was predeceased by his parents, an infant brother and many uncles, aunts and cousins. Surviving in addition to his wife, are his son, David Oaks and his wife, Rachelle (Lewis); granddaughters Danica, Delaney and Demi Oaks and extended family in Indiana.
Viewing will be at Mountain View Funeral Home, Tacoma, Washington on May 15, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Services will be held with military honors at 10:00 a.m., May 16 at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be made to The Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County or your local Humane Society.





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