Harvey Donald (Don) Oakley, 85, died suddenly, January 14, 2012 after falling and striking his head. Funeral services will be at 3 pm, Thursday, the 19th at the Davis Morris Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Gary Gramling and Tim Skaggs officiating. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Thursday, the 19th from 12:30 – 3pm at the funeral home.
He was the son of Charles Roy Oakley and Ollie Mae (Thomasson) Oakley. Donald was born on December 3, 1926 in Lampasas, Texas.
Donald graduated from Carlton High School in 1945. Upon graduation, Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corps and reported to Keesler Field in Mississippi for active duty as a pilot. After arriving, he was informed that no more pilots were needed. He was given the choice of returning home or enrolling in airplane mechanics school. He chose the airplane mechanics school.
When he completed the school, he was sent to Hershing Air Base Austria with the assignment of crash crew chief. As World War II ended, he returned home and joined the Texas Army National Guard, entering with the rank of private first class. Donald advanced through the ranks and attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer I in 1962. During this time of service, he attended numerous military schools, including Quartermaster School and Personnel Management. In 1986, Don retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer IV.
After joining the Army National Guard, Don also accepted the full time position of administrative technician for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Ba 142nd Infantry, Brownwood, Texas. In 1950, Don transferred as an area maintenance technician in Brownwood for many years. Following this assignment, he held the position of personnel officer and supply officer until his transfer to Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas in 1973 with the 49th Armor MMC as supply technician, where he remained in various positions until retirement in 1986.
Upon discharge from the Army Air Corp, he enrolled at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. In 1949, after moving to Brownwood, he attended Howard Payne University. Donald became a Christian at the age of fifteen and attended Baptist churches in each town where he resided. He is a member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, Brownwood, Texas.
Donald married Zelda Davis on April 11, 1952 in Early, Texas at the Early First Baptist Church parsonage with Rev. Ed Carson officiating.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Oakley; one brother, Darwin and one infant daughter, Megan. Survivors include his wife, Zelda Oakley of Brownwood; daughter, Donnetta Shelton and Ray Parsons of Brownwood; grandson, Jacob Shelton of Austin. Don is also survived by sisters, Lorea Myrick of Brenham, Texas; Patricia and husband Joe Stubblefield of San Angelo, Texas; and Janette Watkins of Amarillo, Texas. Don is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.
Donald loved fishing, traveling, gardening and playing his guitar. During his retirement, he established a peach orchard and sold peaches at the Farmers market and to individuals. Along with Newte and Betty Cooper, Donald has sung and played music for many years for the area nursing homes, retirement communities and other organizations.
Don was a faithful son, loving brother, doting father and devoted husband and was an asset to all who knew him. Condolences may be left for the family at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com
