Dr. Wesley Eugene “Gene” Oakley was born on Sept. 8, 1941 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life on Oct. 23, 2022.
Gene was a life-long resident of Carter County and was the only child of Helen (Davis) and Wesley Franklin (Bud) Oakley and was raised in Ellsinore, Missouri.
On Oct. 28, 1961 he was united in marriage to Judith Iva Sanders who preceded him in death on May 23, 2021. Gene and Judy made their home in Van Buren, Missouri, where they lived on Carter Creek and raised their only daughter Pam (Oakley) Dorris and spent so many special times with their grandchildren, Blake (Jessie) and Brianna Dorris.
Gene was also father to James Wesley Oakley who died in infancy.
To say that Gene was the consummate educator and public servant is an understatement. His devotion to the students he taught, the county in which he was raised, and the state in which he served was undisputed.
He began his teaching career at the age of nineteen at the Van Buren High School and spent over 30 years of his life dedicated to education.
His love of education was only challenged by his love of politics and public service where he made the most of his time as a State Representative and Presiding Commissioner.
So many words could describe Gene, author, public servant, mentor, teacher, coach, farmer, Shriner, state representative, lobbyist, friend, Mason, but his proudest was that of dad and PaPaw. His biggest smiles came from raising Pam and watching his grandkids grow and talking about Blake and Bri.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Van Buren, with the funeral service being held oat 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Van Buren City Cemetery in Van Buren.
Online condolences: www.mcspaddenfh.com.