Chester J Oakes

Chester Joe Oakes was born on May 3, 1946 in Smiths Grove, KY. He passed away at Pegasus Landing in Mesa, AZ peacefully after a short illness on August 14, 2026.

He is survived by his wife Mary Grace Oakes of Mesa AZ and nephews Robert "Bob" Lee Oakes II, his wife Jackie of Allen Texas, Chad Tyler Oakes of Fredericksburg, VA and sister in law Frances Oakes. He was proceeded in death by his parents, George Clem Oakes and Nellie Russell Oakes, sibling Nathan "Billy" Clement Oakes, sister in law Barbara, brother Robert "Bob" Lee Oakes, nephew Daniel Oakes.

Chester attended Elementary to High school in Smiths Grove, KY. Graduating from North Warren HS in 1964. He attended electronic school prior to entering the US Air Force from 12/1/1965 to 3/2/1969. Chester was trained as a missile maintenance man, he wore his white work uniform proudly and ended his service as an E5, Staff Sergeant. He served at 5 bases Lackland, Lowry, Richards Gebaur, Howard in the Panama Canal Zone and McDill.

After the Air Force, Chester moved to Indianapolis and Muncie where he worked for Guarantee Auto (similar to Pep Boys) as an assistant manager. In 1971, while working for GA in Southport, IN, he met Mary Grace while she worked at the Indianapolis Marion County public library, where she utilized her masters degree of 47 yrs. She was born in Plymouth, IN on May 31, 1947. Chester and Mary Grace were married on March 26, 1972 in Plymouth, IN. They honeymooned in Washington, DC. They visited all the memorials and museums. They were married for a total of 54 yrs.

Chester started college in December, 1974 using his total GI bill attending Ball State University graduating with a BA with honors in accounting in May 1977, followed by a MBA in May 1978 and almost completed MA in Computer Science. He started his career with NCR selling electronic and programmable cash registers for a year plus, unfortunately he had a head on wreck where another car veered into the front of his car, he was off work for 7 weeks, later he decided he didn't fit the bill for on the road sales man.

That's when they decided to look into warmer climates especially after the blizzard of January 1978. They re-visited Florida, but there were too many mosquitoes. They decided to look at other southern states, ruled out Ca, TX, gulf states were also ruled out due to hurricanes. Finally, saw an add for a children's librarian position. Mary Grace flew to Mesa AZ, stayed with friends from the Air Force, didn't get the job then, but finally in 2001 Mary Grace got hired.

Chester finally left NCR and decided he needed to see if he could survive a summer in AZ. He moved May 23, 1981 driving cross country with a loaded Citation, he survived. Mary Grace packed the house and their friends drove her in a U-haul, putting everything in storage in August. Mary Grace left Muncie, IN on Oct 29, and arrived in AZ on Halloween. Chester found a job at Di Eugenio Tool company as a controller and computer maintenance specialist, later he spent many years working in the accounting field for several construction companies.

Over the years they volunteered 6-8 weekends a year with AZ Special Olympics for 25-30 years in the awards area. He was also a member of Civitan International, belonging to two local clubs Breakfast and Metro over the years. They also supported special needs and developmentally disabled adults from 1981-current. They also volunteered with Lura Turner Homes for 45 yrs.

He met their extended Arizona family through his work when Helen Sanchez Colon was 17 yrs old, about 24 yrs ago. They watched the family grow, two kids and the little one came along 7 yrs later. Chester and Mary Grace became immediate grandparents, always helping with Tony, Stephanie and Priscila, the extended family is very large and he was very blessed to have them.

Chester and Mary Grace retired for a year to Panama near Costa Rica in the Summer of 2008. They made sure to visit 3 times before, so they knew what they were getting themselves into. He rented a 700 sq foot casita from friends and enjoyed the peace of Panama. They met lots of ex-pats and natives, using their limited Spanish, they made many life long friends and spoke to a few until his last days. Chester loved to walk all over the area three days a week, walking 15 miles, sometimes he would take the little buses for fifty cents, riding with chickens. You never knew what you might sit by, they were lucky to vacation 7 times over the years.

Chester was known to be lovable, he made everyone laugh with his weird sense of humor, he will be missed by all who knew him.

Services were held on September 7, 2026 in Phoenix.
Donations to Lura Turner Homes Inc.
P.O. Box 81285 Phoenix, AZ 85069-1285.