Obituary of Phillip Leroy Oakes

Phillip Leroy Oakes was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on August 29, 1930, to Harley and Hulda Oakes. He was the youngest of three boys and grew up enjoying the typical Midwest life, filled with family, community, simple pleasures and hard work.

After graduating from Wilson High, he started his lifelong banking career. When the Korean war broke out, he and nine other friends enlisted in the Marines. Phil served in active duty from 1951-1954. His primary duties were to expedite the movement of supplies and personnel flying in and out of Seoul, Korea and meeting all incoming Navy and Marine flights.

Phil returned home to marry his sweetheart, Annalee Clemons. The couple moved to Seattle where Phil worked for the National Bank of Commerce and stayed with that organization for the next 35+ years. During his career Phil traveled internationally for the bank and met many friends. He especially enjoyed visiting churches and missionaries overseas.

On the home front, Phil was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a faithful Christian and loved to participate in Bible studies. He cheered on pursuits of the family members, including Annalee’s higher education, as well as his daughters’ musical, athletic and artistic interests.

Phil was a true friend. Throughout his life, he thought of others throughout the day and would regularly pick up the phone to check in. He was truly interested in each person and loved interacting with all ages. Phil helped run the local food bank, was neighborhood representative for the Shoreline police department and donated years of winter Saturdays to be a volunteer chaperone on the Shoreline Ski School buses.

Phil will be remembered for living out his daily mission to bring cheer to others. He had a deep love of God, family, friends and country. Throughout his life he touched many with his kindness, selflessness, and loving nature.

Phillip Leroy Oakes is preceded in death by his loving wife, Annalee, and is survived by his daughters, Alice Johnson (Phil), Joyce Oakes, and Anne Strand (Roger), three grandchildren, Rachel Zupke (Ben), Sarah Balian (Aaron) and Paul Johnson (Sarah), and six great grandchildren.  He will be deeply missed by us all.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023, 10:00am at North Sound Church in Edmonds, WA.