Dan Joseph Oakes passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 22, 2025 in his home surrounded by his family and loyal dog Cujo.

Dan was born in Hartford, Connecticut on March 10, 1943. Dan spent most of his youth residing in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted into the United States Navy. Dan became a torpedomen and spent his military career in submarines eventually promoted to an E8 TMC Chief Petty Officer. In 1965while his Navy ship was docked in Galveston, he met the love of his life, Bertha Reyna Oakes. They were shortly married and lived the military life with their children Michael, Danny, David and Susan. In 1981, Dan decided to retire from the military and move closer to his wife’s family in Texas.

After relocating to Texas, Dan began working as a produce manager for Safeway and then spent his final working years with Pinkerton Security. In 2008, Dan finally retired completely from the workforce and became a stay-at-home Grandpa. From 2008 to 2014, Dan’s sole job was taking care of his grandchildren in Texas. This included taking them both to and from school, attending school functions, and field trips with his grandchildren.

Dan spent his spare time with various hobbies and a love of sports. While serving in the military, he also found time to help coach youth sports, including a women’s softball league, He loved to garden and could tell you various facts about any plant, fruit, or vegetable. He loved to fish with his own children and then passed on that passion to his grandkids. After being diagnosed with dementia in 2014, Dan began using his love of naval ships to hand build boats from scrap wood.

In 2022, our family was pleasantly surprised to discover that Dan had another daughter, Melody Kinsel. Even though Dan was in his later stages of dementia, he met her with open arms, no hesitation on love and hugs. Even up to the time of his death, Dan never forgot his children. He always managed to tell his children that he loved them.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Walter land Frances Oakes, wife Bertha Reyna Oakes, and son Michael Cortez Oakes.

He is survived by his children Melody Kinsel (husband Randy), Dan Jr., David Oakes (wife Marcia), and Susan Honicker (husband Mark). He is survived by his grandchildren Jessica Oakes Richter (husband Matt), Emily Oakes, Hayden Honicker, and Peyton Honicker. He is survived by his brothers Nelson, Bobby, and Ken Oakes. He is survived by his loyal companion, his beloved dog Cujo who never left his side.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1,2025 at 3:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home Located at 851 FM 517 Rd W., Dickinson, Tx 77539.