Darrel "Dewey" Kermit Oakes, Jr.

Darrel "Dewey” Kermit Oakes, Jr 78, of Lynchburg, Virginia passed away on January 22, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was the son of the late Darrel Kermit Oakes, Sr. and Frances Burch Oakes.

Dewey was born on November 4, 1947, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He attended E.C. Glass High School where he was very proud of being an integral member of the 1965 Western District champion football team and the 1966 undefeated football team. According to his teammates, he was a spirited leader of the team and a winner in every aspect of the game. Dewey pitched for Glass when the baseball team won back to back Western District titles in 1964 and 1965. He was also a pitcher for the 1966 Lynchburg American Legion team that won the State Championship title and became the first local team to accomplish this feat. Dewey graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina where he pitched on the baseball team that won the Carolinas Conference (12-2) and qualified for the district 26 championship. It was at Catawba that he met the love of his life, Cathy Gingrich.

After college, Dewey began his sales career working for Armour Dial. He then worked for the May Apparel Group (Peaches 'n Cream children's clothing) as a sales representative for 42 years, covering territory in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. He retired in 2017.

Dewey was a longtime member of Boonsboro Country Club where he could often be found on the golf course regardless of the season. If he wasn't hitting the links, he might instead be in the men's locker room discussing UVA sports. Dewey continued his love of baseball by dedicating many springs and summers to coaching American Legion and Dixie Youth baseball teams. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach for the E.C.Glass baseball team and was incredibly proud to coach his son, Greg, on the team that made it to the AAA State Semifinals in 1987. Dewey was a member of First Presbyterian Church for over 40 years.

Dewey is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cathy Gingrich Oakes; his children, Gregory Oakes of Gibsonville, North Carolina and Kelly Oakes Whitehead (Christopher) of Wallingford, Pennsylvania; his grandchildren, Brooke Oakes, Sydney Oakes, Catherine Whitehead, and Elizabeth Whitehead; his sister, Priscilla Oakes Riley (William) of Lynchburg, Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Dewey is preceded in death by his sisters; Frances Reams, Betty Smythe, Barbara Mohesky, and Donna Dills.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, compassionate nurses and doctors at Lynchburg General Hospital, especially those in the Intensive Care Unit.

A celebration of life will be held on February 21, 2026, at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution to the Lynchburg Humane Society, 1211 Old Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.