Obituary: Thomas "Tom" Oakes

On Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, Thomas “Tom” Oakes passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Winter Garden, Florida. Tom was born in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25, 1943, and lived in Maryland for 39 years before moving to Florida.

He earned an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information from the University of Maryland. 

Tom was a sports enthusiast, and he shared this love for sports with his children. He loved playing baseball as a child and playing softball as an adult and was an avid fan watching hockey, basketball, football and, most of all, baseball. He cheered with us through our college years rooting for the University of Maryland Terps, the Clemson Tigers and the Florida Gators. He loved the Red Sox in the early years but was a true Washington fan — rooting for the Washington Capitals and enjoying their 2018 Stanley Cup victory followed by cheering on the Washington Nationals through every game on their way to their first-ever World Series Championship in 2019!

Tom was a family centered man — a loving father, a proud grandfather and a best friend to his brothers and sister. After retiring from the USPS, Tom could often be found having fun driving his golf cart with his son TJ and grandsons Connor and Chase.

He is survived by his four children, Tracey Santos (Bearin), Tammy McBean (Jim), TJ Oakes (Lisa) and Justin Oakes (Laura); his five grandchildren, Hayden, Laney, Duncan, Connor and Chase; his sister, Barbara Hildreth (Ken); his brother, Ronnie Oakes, and sister-in-law, Elaine Oakes; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Richard Oakes.

Services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church (11007 Montgomery Road, Beltsville, MD 20705) at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. The family will host a Celebration of Life gathering immediately following the service at the Hampton Inn & Suites, (7045 Minstrel Way Columbia, MD 21046) until 7 p.m.