Keith Richard Oaks, 55, of Watauga, Tenn., passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015, in Houston, Texas. He was born on June 25, 1960 in North Carolina, a son of the late Ruby Grace Malone Oaks. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Gene Allen Landis.
Mr. Oaks was a member of Central Church of Christ, Johnson City, and was a veteran of the United States Army. He had an infectious smile and was known as “Happy Jack.” He was lovingly known as “Gramps” to his grandchildren. He never knew a stranger and will be missed by all his family and friends.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Janice, of the home; his three children, Mandy Oaks, Reuben Oaks and his wife, Betty, and Suzanne Whitehead and her husband, Brian; his father, Gene Oaks; and a sister, Karen Oaks. Five grandchildren, Laura Marie, Vincent, Mason, Bradley and Lexie, also survive.
A service to honor the life of Keith Richard Oaks will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 28, at Central Church of Christ, 2722 East Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, with Mr. Timothy Hall, minister, officiating. Congregational singing will be under the direction of the church. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, and at the home at other times. The graveside service will follow the funeral at Fall Branch Church of Christ Cemetery, 480 Fordtown Road, Fall Branch, Tenn. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to Healing Servants Mission, c/o Vernon Church of Christ, P.O. Box 739, Vernon, AL 35592. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Oaks family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.