Roger William Oakes

Mr. Roger William Oakes, 75, of Burlington passed away, after a brief battle with melanoma, at the Hospice Home on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 8:43 a.m.
A native of Henry County, VA, he was the loving husband of 53 years to Diane Gilbert Oakes, who survives and the son of Bennie Oakes and Jarvie Campbell Oakes, both deceased. Mr. Oakes was the owner of Nature's Emporium and The Natural Dog.
In addition to his wife of the home, survivors include two children, Ryan Oakes and wife Stephanie Wade Oakes of Chapel Hill and their children Atticus Oakes and Alifair Oakes; Gina Tanner and husband Scotty of Burlington and their children Dawson Tanner, Gavin Tanner, Parker Tanner and Kiersten Tanner; two brothers, Eugene Oakes of Martinsville, VA and Melvin Oakes and wife Erma of Smith Mountain Lake, VA. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Curtis Oakes and Alvin Oakes and two sisters, Viola Davis and Edna Carter.
Roger was a graduate of Richmond Professional Institute (Virginia Commonwealth University). He married his high school sweetheart and moved to New York City to work for global advertising company, Young & Rubicam. Four years later, Roger and Diane moved to Burlington, NC to begin their own business. They continued and evolved their businesses in the pet industry for over 45 years. Their local store, Nature's Emporium, continues to be one of the county's most beloved stores to frequent for Pet Supplies and Gifts.
Roger also dearly loved his family and friends. He enjoyed adventure whether snow-skiing on the weekends, riding his bike at the beach or spending time driving his boat on Hyco lake while pulling his family wake boarding. He equally enjoyed teaching others to snow-ski and wakeboard.
A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends immediately following the service. Other times, the family will be at the home of the daughter, Gina Tanner.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Melanoma International Foundation, 250 Mapleflower Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343.

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