Lowell Oakes Knew His History

Especially his family history.

I love, love, love to find stones like these. Lowell put seven generations of his paternal ancestry on the back of his granite tombstone. Even though a good genealogist would not take this information as the gospel, it is a great starting point. And I firmly believe it could provide a casual passerby with a spark of desire to find out more about their personal history.

Gene Oakes was born in Montezuma, Georgia in 1948, the eldest son of Luther Avery Oakes, Jr. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era, and spent the last 16 years of his life in Jacksonville, Florida. His 2006 obituary states, "He will always be remembered as a man who dearly loved God, family, Jaguar football, history, lighthouses, genealogy, collecting hot sauces, traveling with family and sitting on his porch to watch the birds." Sounds like a cool dude.

Son of
Luther Avery Oakes, Jr. Jan 15, 1916 - Jun 16, 2009
Luther Avery Oakes, Sr. Sep 25, 1888 - Mar 11, 1956
Malachi Smith Oakes Apr 11, 1863 - Aug 10, 1940
William Thomas Oakes Nov 15, 1822 - Jun 2, 1897
Jonathan H. S. Oakes Abt 1790 - Abt 1859
Isaac Oaks May 13, 1760 - Abt 1845
John Oaks Abt 1735 - Unknown
(click to enlarge)

Both Lowell and his father rest in Pinehurst City Cemetery at Dooly County, Georgia. Luther's personal story has a solemn wow factor to it. L.A. Oakes, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, was a survivor of the Bataan Death March as well as a 3 1/2 year Japanese Prisoner Of War.

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