E. Gordon Oakes III

Elmer “Gordon” Oakes, III, 69, of Raleigh, was called to be with our Lord on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 after a brief battle with cancer. 

Born in Portsmouth (Norfolk County), Virginia on April 18, 1947, he was the only son of Elmer Gordon Oakes, Jr and Marjorie Evalyn Rich Oakes.   He grew up on both Jacqueline Drive and Nina Drive in Chesapeake where the kids on the block remained his lifelong friends.   He graduated with the Class of 1965 at Churchland High School in Portsmouth and it was there that he met and married his wife of 49 years, Kay (Lawrence).  Together with Kay, he celebrated his life with two daughters, five grandchildren and three dogs.

After high school, Gordon attended Chowan College in Murfreesboro, NC. He graduated from Old Dominion College in 1967 and earned an Associate’s Degree.  He later served in the US Navy in Norfolk, VA. before starting his 30-year career with Coca-Cola USA in 1970.   After working with Coca-Cola in Chesapeake and Richmond, Gordon settled with his family in Raleigh, NC in 1980.  His commitment and loyalty to Coca-Cola and its rich history have become something that is fondly associated to Gordon by all that knew and loved him.    Gordon was also a member of the Churchland Masonic Lodge and Portsmouth Scottish Rite.

Gordon was proud of his Southern heritage, and he was an emphatic lover of beach music.  He loved Smithfield Ham, his mother’s collard greens and The Band of Oz.  He spent decades of summers cruising Highway 12 from Duck to Ocracoke.  Gordon was a coastal enthusiast enjoying all things related to deep sea fishing, waterfowl conservation and OBX.  His most recent past time was following the journey of new life of the American Bald Eagles in the Chesapeake Bay region. 

Gordon is greeted in Heaven by his mother and his loved ones there before him.  He is survived by his wife Kay and father Elmer of Raleigh;  daughter Bonnie Oakes Hopkins (son-in-law Chip) of Raleigh; daughter Betsie Oakes Wilkinson (son-in-law Wil) of Sanford; and grandchildren Grace, Hunter, Parker, Harris, and Lawson.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, October 14, 2016 at 11:00am at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh.  A reception at the church will immediately follow.   In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to any animal or wildlife conservation non-profit of your choice.