Tributes

Carol A. Burgess Oakes passed from this life on August 3, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on April 18, 1944 at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, to Robert L. Burgess and Harriett Dibble Burgess. Carol was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Dorothy Burgess. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Ernest Oakes; sister, Vickie Ritchey (Dan); brother, Robert L. Burgess (Jamie); sister-in-law, Linda Prince (Paul); brother-in-law, Clint Okes (Carole); one special “son” D J Bauch, and 11 nieces & nephews. Carol lived on San Antonio’s west side from infancy till her marriage to Ernie in 1967. She attended Mt. Olive Lutheran School and Horace Mann Junior High before graduating with honors from Thomas Jefferson HS and Trinity University in San Antonio. Carol was hired by the United States Air Force in 1966 (met Airman Oakes) as a computer programmer. Carol advanced through the civil service ranks retiring in April 2001 as Director for C4 Systems, Joint Information Operations Center, Kelly AFB, Texas. In her retirement years, she enjoyed doing the NY Times crosswords with husband, Ernie, but only Thursday thru Sunday as Monday to Wednesday were too easy. Always up for the 2 Cs, cruising and casinos, she went on her last cruise for her birthday in April 2023. Gorgeous Lake Tahoe was visited twice a year for a quarter century. She enjoyed over 50 years of trips to West Virginia to visit Ernie’s family. For the past 15 years, Carol and Ernie were truly blessed by the love and companionship of their Snowshoe Siamese Cat, Peshi. A stray that entered their life in 2008, he was their one constant. During Carol’s last 30 days in the hospital, every morning Ernie had to report whether Peshi had come in for the night. Peshi is a primarily outdoor cat and they often struggled to coax him to come in for the night. For the past 48+ years, Carol and Ernie have lived in Park Forest, the best neighborhood in San Antonio. And within this neighborhood, in their cul-de-sac they had the cream of the crop for neighbors and friends. Dr. Robert Shoumaker and wife, Kay, and Dr. James Fowler and wife, Nancy, shared 40+ years of trips, Broadway shows, dinners, parties, and friendships with Carol and Ernie For over 40 years, Carol enjoyed the company and friendship of her sisters in Preceptor Xi Tau Social Sorority. Valentine’s Day and Mothers’ Day luncheons, trips to the Guadalupe and Frio Rivers, and the annual Christmas brunch hosted by Carol and Ernie were highlights of their year. A lover of the arts, Carol was a long time season ticket holder to the SA Symphony, a season ticket holder to Broadway Series from the 1st show in 1982, a season ticket holder to the SA Opera, attended the Metropolitan Opera live simulcasts and attended numerous locally produced shows. As many of you reading her obituary can attest, Carol was adept at and took immense pleasure in creating custom greeting cards for family and friends. Carol and Ernie would like to thank the staff at Methodist Hospital, Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas for their care and efforts for over 30 days trying to overcome Carol’s health woes. A big thank you to Pastor Chris and Pastor Andy, from Shepherd (Shepherd of the Hills), for their caring visits to Carol over her last few days. Carol’s last remaining travel outside her home was counting church offerings once a month. A big worry was that her counting partner would not be informed that she would not be there for the July counting. Carol served in many positions at Shepherd of the Hills including on the first school board and as an “elderette” (her term). According to Ernie’s sister, a big thank you to Vickie, the angel Ernie didn’t know he needed, but arrived in time to provide respite as Carol’s struggles progressed through the days and nights over the month of July. A true positive came from Carol’s health struggles. Over their 55+ years, Ernie and Carol, like many longtime married couples, had come to take each other for granted, looking at but not truly seeing the person in front of them, forgetting all those wonderful reasons they came together. During the long hours alone in the hospital, as they discussed their truly blessed life, they recommitted to each other for whatever the future would hold. A sure sign to Ernie that they were one spirit again was when Carol once again repeatedly referred to him as “Ernie” instead of “Chuck” or a couple of less flattering names. Too late now for them to enjoy their newly rekindled love and respect for one another, but for those of you reading this, take the time to remember the why and look once again into the eyes of the one you so long ago loved so openly and deeply. Quoting Ernie, “I didn’t deserve her, but I was the luckiest man alive to have found the only woman that could tolerate me for a week, much less 55 glorious years.” Please in lieu of flowers (Ft. Sam Houston only allows 3 floral tributes which includes the casket spray) or other remembrances, send a donation in Carol’s name to: San Antonio Pets Alive, the San Antonio Humane Society, or the church she loved, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Serving as pallbearers: Allen Adair, D J Bauch, Maisie Burgess, Kemal Cinaroglu, Dan Ritchey, Rod Sively, Jimmy Stead SERVICES Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 beginning at 11:30am followed by a 12:30pm service led by Rev. Dr. Christopher “Chris” Kennedy at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 6914 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas, 78240. Interment will follow at 2:15pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas, 78209 For personal acknowledgement, please sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com in the Tributes section. MISSION PARK FUNERAL CHAPELS NORTH 3401 CHERRY RIDGE DR. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78230 (210) 349-1414

Tributes

Carol A. Oakes

April 18, 1944 - August 3, 2023