Stanley Lionel Gerald Oakes

June 22, 1930 ~ July 26, 2021

Stan passed away peacefully at Pine Grove Care Centre in Kamloops, BC July 26, 2021 at the age of 91. He leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years Louise, daughters Diana Wren (Bob) and Christina (Morgan), Grandchildren Regan Swallow (Kristen), Ella and Tessa Emes.

Predeceased by parents Leander and Alice Oakes, 3 year old daughter Sandra and two younger brothers Bill Oakes (Audry) and Lloyd Oakes (Ruth).

Stan was born in Kelowna and lived in Rutland in a two room house on a small farm for the first 12 years of his life. The family moved to Vancouver in 1942 so his dad could work at the Dominion Bridge Gun Plant. Stan attended Vancouver Tech and his first job was at Vancouver City Hall. He had many careers over the years. It was while working at Orange Crush in 1953 he met the love of his life, Louise Kingston. They married in 1956. A few of his other jobs were Woodward’s Dept. Store, BC Liquor Store, Sterling Shipyard as Marine Electrician. After moving to Kamloops in 1959 Stan worked with Father-In-Law to set up O.K. Rental (now Jasco). With his electrical experience he was soon wiring houses in and around Kamloops. While in Kamloops, he earned his private pilots license. Stan had his first airplane ride in Kelowna at the age of 6 in an open cockpit. Jenny and he never lost his love of flying. He eventually owned shares in a small plane, based at the Ashcroft Strip. In 1968 the family moved to Cache Creek, when Stan was hired as Maintenance Electrician for the South Cariboo School District. He remained there for 26 years and never missed a days work! He was well known throughout the District for his good nature and “joke of the day”.

Stan enjoyed many hobbies: Photography, guitar playing, travelling, camping and X-country skiing (some of these included a beer or good Scotch with friends). All of these activities could explain why it took almost 30 years to complete the building of the family home at 16 Mile.

Stan's Talents

-As a kid-paper route, small hand printed press & sold business cards

-Photography: took wedding pictures for friends and family and tinted picture (before colour film was developed)

-Always good at draft

-Studied radio at Sprott Shaw radio school with Dave Glover. Here he learned how to read schematics which help in later electrical training.

-Completed correspondence course as marine electrician while working at the shipyard.

-Worked as an electrician for several contractors in Kamloops and continued to study for his Contractors ticket while working as maintenance electrician at School district 30

-took numerous courses on Lennox Furnaces

-took his pilot training and had shares in a small hanger and plane (1965)

-had endless repertoire of jokes and songs and he liked to yodel and whistle

-All these memories and knowledge lost :(

Stan’s work record consist of

Vancouver City Hall in the billing department from June 1948 to April 1950

Woodward’s Stores from May 1950 to September 1952

Ed’s mobile as a delivery truck driver from October 1952 to May 1953. He was self-taught in the company driveway.

Orange Crush from June 1953 to May 1954

Shell Oil undercover for Prati’s Secret Service refinery July 1954 to September 1954

Liquor Control Board from October 1954 to September 1956

Sterling Shipyards from September 1956 to March 1959

Kingston Distributors from March 1959 to May 1960

OK Rent-all from May 1960 to March 1964

Cactus Construction from April 1964 to September 1964

Various Contractors out of Union hall, IBEW from September 1964 to November 1968

School District #30 in Ashcroft from November 1968 to December 1994

Retirement in January 0f 1995.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Navy Sahota and all the staff at Pine Grove Care for the love and care Stan received.

Memorial donations may be made in Stan’s memory to Pine Grove Care Centre, 313 McGowan Drive, Kamloops, BC V2B 2N8

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com for the Oakes family.