Joel Deroy Oakley's Obituary
Joel Deroy Oakley, age 79, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many - passed away at Reston Hospital on Tuesday, March 6th, 2018. He had sustained numerous injuries from a vehicle crash on Monday, March 5th, 2018, and was taken to Reston Hospital where his body fought overnight to heal from the injuries; but ultimately, his body was overwhelmed and not able to recover.
Joel was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Dee Roy Oakley and Martha Loretta Carter. After high school, he spent four years in the Air Force, stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. It was there, he discovered his enjoyment of aviation - receiving distinguished awards for his efforts, service, and conduct - and training to become an air traffic controller. Upon his honorable discharge from active duty, he began employment with the FAA, in which he gave 32 years of service, as a controller, supervisor, and instructor. After retiring, he was given an opportunity and hired as a contractor through SRSA (Systems Requirements and Services Associates Inc), and then WCG (Washington Consulting Group Inc), as a sought-after training instructor for new controllers.
In addition to being a hard-working and faithful government employee - Joel took the same care and responsibility as a husband, father, and friend. He was always a student of life, and enjoyed learning things well enough to the point that he'd be able to teach it, in order to share and pass on the knowledge to anyone who was willing to listen. While retired, he also helped at a couple of area golf courses as a pro-shop manager, and grounds/course marshal. Although he'd be the first to say his golf "game" needed some work - he could really run the table on just about anyone in billiards. While billiards was simply for leisure as a teen and during his Air Force days, he also spent a lot of his younger years (and well into adulthood) tinkering with cars; making them fast and loud, and racing them. Over the years, he developed a real talent and knack for being able to fix, repair, improve, or replace anything with his bare hands - and he never blinked or hesitated in helping a family member or a friend in need with his talents.
In recent years, Joel was making great efforts to maintain good health by being active and playing golf, going to the gym with his wife, and eating right. He also went to church on Sundays regularly with his wife, Ha. In his downtime, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, keeping up with political issues via televised news, watching Jeopardy, and all of his favorite car shows on the Velocity Channel. But above all, he always let his family know that his favorite thing to do was to spend time with the family - whether visits from his sons and their families - or visits from just the grand kids, going to their sporting events, or having a backyard cookout. We'll never forget the steaks for dinner, and sausage gravy for breakfast (which was second to none), the countless family celebrations at local restaurants, the family meals together at home for the holidays, the family beach trips, the road trips and airline flights to local and national martial arts tournaments, the numerous Disney vacations & Kings Dominion trips, hanging out in his garage while working on cars and "talking trash", golf outings with dad, throwing the ball, sparring around in the living room, racing r/c cars, family outings to Dulles Town Center mall to see the last several Star Wars movies, and Dallas Cowboys football on Thanksgiving and Sundays....all memories that will last forever. The love, care, wisdom, knowledge, and time he gave to everyone in the family - and to his friends - will always be his legacy.
Joel is survived by his wife of 46 years - Thu Ha Oakley, his two sons - David Oakley, and Joseph Oakley; his daughter Christine Hall; his three grandsons, Colby Oakley, Nathan Oakley, and Jalen Oakley; his two younger sisters - Diane Haba & Debbie McDonald; and Joel's younger brothers - Ronnie Oakley and Murray Oakley, along with their respective families. Joel lived a full and happy life, and we are honored to celebrate the dash between the day he entered this world, and the day he left it. We encourage you to do the same.
- The Oakley Family
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