Dear Mrs. Oakley and Family, 
On behalf of all of us at Tampa International Airport our heartfelt condolences go out to all of you on the loss of Lee.   We want the family to know how much Lee meant to us and how grateful we are for all of his hard work and dedication.   Not only did he work very hard for us and help serve our customers well, he was a great co-worker who always shared his knowledge with others so they could become better.   He worked on wide variety of very critical  airport equipment such as passenger boarding bridges and baggage conveyors.   Some jobs were very difficult and challenging, but Lee was a skilled worker who overcame the challenges to get the job done.    I remember when I wished him well at his retirement, he commented to me how much he enjoyed his work at the airport and his co-workers.  He said he had a very satisfying time working with us.  That was nice to know.   Men like Lee who served in our country's military, and who worked hard for their family their entire lives should be honored, appreciated and remembered always.    His friends and co-workers at the airport will do just that.   Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.   
Sincerely, 
Al Illustrato 

Dottie, My love and prayers goes out to you and your family today and all days after. I know when we join Lee in Heaven, he will be holding a strawberry shortcake, and letting us know where all if the best flea markets are.  I can almost see him running with excitement to get us our first ones there.  Love and miss him but knowing that i will see him again gives comfort.  God bless you all

Lee, I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to get to know you better but the times I had the privilege of being with you,  I noticed how happy you made your children and grandchildren.  Eating breakfast at your favorite restaurant. I know you will be greatly missed by many as you were such a big part of so many lives. Rest in peace. 

I’m glad Britney alowed me to meet you 3-4 years ago because I have enjoyed every moment that we got to spend with you from watching football on Sundays to showing me how to fix a generator for the hurricane and you showing me your new toys. I’m glad I got to watch the last Super Bowl with you. Thanks lee for being a great friend and someone to look up to. You will be missed by so many. 


To the man that taught me how to ride a bike, taught me how to fish and bought me my first pole. The man taught me it was okay to be a girl that got dirty like the boys but still treated me like a princess.. you are and will always be everything to me. My grandpa, the man with a million tablets, the newest phones, the big trucks and the jeans and Guy Harvey T's. The man that always ate chocolate cake with chocolate icing. The one that always knew the best places to get a good breakfast. You were the man with the wildest dreams but managed to always do everything he always wanted. When I was younger you would take me to look at Corvettes and swore one day you would have one...and you did. You've taught me that I can do WHATEVER it is on this earth that I want to do, there is nothing out of my reach. You've shown me the importance of making memories with family and always being there for one another. You've taught me that you're never too old for a good laugh and it's okay to let your inner child out (you bought me a Disney balloon for my 26th birthday). I'm going to miss our everyday afternoon lunches at the counter, you sitting across from me at some mom & pop breakfast dinner and you ordering so much food that you know you'll never finish, you showing me cat videos on your tablet and the next truck you want to get (then grandma says how stupid you sound and you look at me and laugh) and saying goodbye to you after Sunday dinner and you saying "come back when you can stay longer" (in your sarcastic voice). You've looked out for me my entire life, always made sure I had everything I've ever needed, pushed me to finish school, sat in the waiting room the entire time I was in labor and stood by my side after I had Easton. I promise to tell him every single story about the amazing person you were and how much you loved him. 

Your soul is one in a million and I am beyond honored to have had you as my grandfather. You hated to see me cry so I never got to say these words to you. Saying them sooner was saying goodbye and I’ll never say goodbye. I hope when my time comes, you’ll be there, with all the fish you’ve been busy catching. 
But until then, you’ll always be on my mind and forever in my heart.
Love you more than all the fishes in the sea
Britney & Easton


Lee thank you for my fishing rod , Love Derick

Thank you for the fishing rod Lee, Love Derick

Lee, Thank you for the wonderful time that you spent with us when we came up for Summer break.       Love,  Erick Fabelo

We could always depend on you to be a smiling, laughing, joyous face. Whether you were laughing with, or at us. Capturing the moments at every event, we can only hope you know that you had captured each and every one of our hearts. 
You will always be remembered, and missed. 
~Forever loved. 



To my brother Lee,

As kids, we lived together, we fought, we laughed, we cried. We shared our dreams and plans and some secrets too.  You were my first best friend, I was your shadow, you were my protector.  All the memories we shared is what bonds me to you now.  We grew to find we have a love that is very strong.  It's a love that will never fade away.  You are my brother by the nature of our birth, I could not have chosen a better one.  God looked down and saw your tired face, he waited patiently for you to accept His Son Jesus, He was so pleased with your decision as I was.  I will forever treasure the words you spoke to me on the phone as you told me of your decision.  He saw the road was getting rough and the hill too hard to climb.  He closed your weary eyes and whispered "Peace be Thine".  It broke my heart to lose you but you didn't go alone, a piece of my heart went with you the day God called you home.
Rest in peace dear brother until we meet again,

April


Lee ,you were a good friend, when I was a rooky you took the time to teach what I needed to know on my job. You were always quick with the jokes and a wise crack or two. I used to call him Squidworth from the cartoon SpongeBob Square pants cause He could be so grouchy sometimes then he would get mad  and I would laugh so hard he'd start laughing too. He's with Jesus now and we all miss him.

Was my subordinate at airport, my friend, wil miss him tons.

You always had a smile on your face when I saw you, you always took photos at the family events and you always went around and spoke to everyone. You were always so welcoming and filled with lots of love and jokes. Thank you  uncle Lee for your smile and laughter, I will always have those memories of you in my heart. You were such an understanding  person, you will truly be missed. 

my sister was blessed to have you as her husband you married into a family full of diversity  but you welcomed all of us you never judged any of us and accepted each of us  as we were . i could never have asked for a better brother in law  and i wished i could have been a better sister in law to you but you were a big part of this family you were there thru each tragedy thru each celebration  your love and support of this family your family will forever be remembered and forever missed  thank you  lee . as time goes on and passes by the ones we love can never die in memories they linger still and in our hearts they always will  . say hello to my other brothers and may god welcome you with open arms

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lee Oakley. I am so sorry for your loss.

To my loving husband Lee

You have always been and will be the love of my life

We have shared so many precious moments over these last 36 years

Now I will keep these moments in my ❤️ until we meet again

I will always love you

Your wife

To Lee,

Loosing a member of the family is never easy, especially one who offered such unconditional love. You always stood out from other people by your character and big heart.  Now that you are with God, I know that you are very peaceful, because here on earth you always did good and strived to be happy.  Words, however kind, can't mend our heartache, but those who care and share in your loss wish you comfort and peace.  Grief is the price we pay for love.  Our tears are your tribute.  

If there is anything I have learned from your passing is that time is truly precious.  We never know when will be the last time we see someone.  There are no goodbyes;   wherever you are, you will always be in my heart to stay.  It is hard to forget someone who gave me so much to remember.  You know how they say that everyone enters your life for a reason, especially the ones who have a very special place in your heart, the ones you will never forget, and can't thank God enough for crossing your path; I wholeheartedly believe that to be true of you. 

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.  I have heard that when you lose someone you love, you gain an angel.  If that be the case, you my friend, my hero, come with wings!

May angels rest beside your door, 
May you hear their voices sing.
May you feel their loving care for you, 
May you hear their peace bells ring.
May angels always care for you, 
And not let you trip and fall, 
May they bear you up on angel's wings, 
May they keep you standing tall. 

I will always love you, farewell my friend.  May you rest in peace. YOU truly will be missed.  

Hugs and kisses, Colleen


OBITUARY

Lee Ernest Oakley

September 30, 1948 – March 29, 2018

Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home & Cemetery

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