Fletcher Reid Oakes

Fletcher Reid Oakes, 76, a loving husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021 peacefully surrounded by his wife and children.

Fletcher was born August 4, 1944 in Craven County, NC to the late Benton Watkins Oakes, Sr. and Thelma Dixon Taylor. He had nine brothers and sisters. This man loved people and never met a stranger. His children were his heart and not to mention how much he loved and cared about his loving wife, Kathy. In addition to people, he enjoyed music. He played the guitar, harmonica, and loved to explore on a list of instruments. He would cook up a huge meal and everyone would have enough to eat and anyone was welcome at his table. If you needed a dollar, he’d give you his last and not think twice about it.

He wrote poetry. It always came from a special place in his heart and touched the hearts of many people.

A hard-working man was definitely an understatement. He spent most of his time at Kelly Springfield as a Mechanical Engineer. He could work on anything and figure out the problem.

He loved the outdoors. There were many fishing trips and walks through the woods. He could tell you the names of many trees and plants. He gardened and loved every minute of it. He made sure to have enough food for family and friends. He was one of the best men that has ever lived. The world has surely lost a beautiful soul.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Daniel Oakes and brothers, Benton Watkins Oakes, Jr., Kenneth Ervin Oakes, and Edward Keith Oakes.

He is survived by his soul mate and loving wife of 48 years, Katherine Oakes; children, Nathaniel Oakes Carter and wife Charlene, Jennifer Edger, Deborah Johnson and husband Mark, Angela Miller and husband Christopher; son, Jonathan Oakes and wife Melinda; daughter-in-law, Corinne Chipps and husband Jamie; grandchildren, Kelsey, Caleb, Connor, Savanna, Nicholas, Cameron, Christopher, David, Gabriel, Seth, Titus, Jacob Daniel, Angelia, Cheyenne, Christian, Ayden, and Jayden; great-grandchildren, Annabella, Adalyn, Ashton, Hazel, and Willow; sisters, Elizabeth Mehl and husband Gene, Ellen Bill and husband Harold, Peggy Carter and husband, Pete, and Carol Rouse and husband Bobby; brothers, David Oakes and wife Jiwon, and Joe Oakes and wife Pam.

The family will receive friends at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home on Tuesday April 20, 2021 from 6-8:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2 pm at Jernigan-Warren Chapel with Rev. R.E. McKenzie officiating. 

Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fletcher Reid Oakes, please visit our floral store.