Allen Leroy Oakley, Sr.

Allen LeRoy Oakley Sr., the son of George Dewey and Nellie Lucinda Howey Oakley, was born March 16, 1937, at his parents home in Audubon, IA and died June 20, 2009, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA at the age of 72 years, 3 months and 4 days after a long three-year courageous battle with cancer.
Allen attended the First Christian Church in Audubon and later became a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He attended schools in Audubon, and was active in sports, including wrestling and football.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 25, 1954 and retired November 30, 1975, with 22 years of service and the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He received his wings from parachutist school and served as a paratrooper for the majority of his military career. During his tours of duty, he served in Japan, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam and Korea. He served with the 508th Airborne Regiment Combat Team at Fort Campbell, KY, and Japan; the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, and Vietnam; the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps, both in Fort Bragg, NC. He received numerous medals and ribbons of commendation, but was most proud of his paratrooper wings.
He was a Life Member of the VFW Post 4119 and a member of the American Legion Post 120. He was very involved with the Audubon Avenue of Flags until his health deteriorated, including installing new flag bases, repairing and stenciling flags, and maintaining the Avenue of Flags Roll Call roster. He was very honored to have been able to read the Roll Call for Memorial Day services several times, even after starting his battle with cancer.
He married Janice Crees on September 25, 1957, at the First Christian Church in Audubon, IA. To this union, three sons were born: Allen Jr., Jeff and Jon. The couple lived in Kentucky, Germany, and North Carolina. After Allen retired from the Army, the family then moved to Audubon, IA where they have resided since 1976. Allen then became a service representative for WeatherShield Manufacturing Co. of Medford, WI, retiring after 17 years with the company.
Allen was a devoted husband, and loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed woodworking, carpentry work, puttering in his garage, working in his yard, tending to his flowers, and watching the many varieties of birds and animals in his backyard. But his grandkids were his pride and joy and he spent many loving hours with them.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister and brothers: Dorothy and husbandFrank Schmidt; James Oakley, Howard Oakley; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Paul Norris, Norma Taggart, Ollie Huitt, Albert Daggett, Dan Keasey, and Jackie Keasey.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Janice L. Oakley of Audubon, IA; his sons: Allen, Jr. and wifeDebra Oakley and Jeff Oakley, all of Audubon; and Jon Oakley of Waukee, IA; his grandchildren: Regan Oakley of Polk City, IA; Corey Oakley and Morgan Oakley, both of Audubon; his brothers: George and wifeLois Oakley and Lloyd and wifeGeneva Oakley, all of Audubon; his sister Norma Norris of Des Moines, IA; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mary Oakley of Tipton, IA; Bill Taggart of Manning, IA; Mary Huitt of Panora, IA; Ethel (Ramona) Daggett of Linden, IA; Ruby and husband Merle Blake of Perry, IA; Shirley Keasey of Jefferson, IA; Lois and husband Larry Thygesen of Audubon; Delores and husbandPaul Wahlert of Exira, IA; Barbara and husbandKenny Harter of Jefferson, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Tuesday evening at 7:00 at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
The Celebration of Life Service will be conducted by Pastor Dwayne FergusonWednesday, June 24, 2009, at 10:30 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon.