Lester C. Oakes, age 98, of Maryville, Tennessee passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021. Lester was born October 11, 1923 at Tater Valley in Powder Springs, TN. He was a proud veteran who served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was assigned to the SS Samuel Livermore to maintain their radar. After the war, he attended the University of TN where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering. Lester had a short stay with Fairchilds, then went to work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He became the Associate Director in the Instrumentation and Controls Division and was later inducted as a "Corporate Fellow". He designed and maintained the instrumentation and controls for nuclear reactors. While working at ORNL, Lester received his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He also taught night classes in Electrical Engineering at UT. Lester was a true outdoorsman, avid hiker and hunter. He loved the Smoky Mountains and was a weekend farmer.
Lester was preceded in death by the love of his life for over 72 years, Kathleen Oakes; sisters, Ann Stinnett, Leo Clark, Alta Maloney and Lena Oakes.
He is survived by children, Mike (Anella) Oakes, Rick (Kathryn) Oakes, Cindy (Bo) Connor, Missy (Wayne) Steffey; grandchildren, Mike (Tara) Oakes II, Ben (Shae) Connor, Lauren (Seth) Berkowitz, Shannon (Jacob) Swafford, Shawn (Alexandria) Steffey, Brianna (Dillon) Cutshaw, Chevy Oakes, Clara Oakes; great grandchildren, Mabry, Nola, Ila and Josie Connor, Harris and James Berkowitz, and Marie and Kate Swafford; sister-in-law, Betty Jo Swift of Nashville; several nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends Saturday, October 23rd from 12:00-2:00 pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home with funeral service following at 2:00 pm. Rev. Emily Anderson officiating. Burial will take place after services with procession to Greenwood Cemetery on Tazewell Pike. Pallbearers: Mike Oakes, Rick Oakes, Bo Connor, Wayne Steffey, Mike Oakes II, Ben Connor, Shawn Steffey, Chevy Oakes. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Friends of the Smokies 3099 Winfield Dunn Pkwy #2, Kodak, TN 37764 www.friendsofthesmokies.org.
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