Donald Wayne Oakes, 40

MIDDLETOWN - Donald Wayne Oakes, of Middletown, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He was 40.

Born June 28, 1967, in Wilmington, he was the beloved son of the late Francis and Beatrice Oakes and sweet baby brother to eight siblings.

Don was a 1985 graduate of Glasgow High School and went on to receive a bachelor in education from the University of Delaware.

Don began his teaching career at Gauger Middle School, Newark, and most recently taught at Christiana High School in the Department of Social Studies/History.

His love for sports and music inspired him to author curriculum for CHS, where he also coached JV baseball.

Don was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Celtics and the hometown Philadelphia Phillies, and frequently traveled to fields and ballparks across the country in support of these teams.

His passion for music has been an inspiration to many and will continue to influence all who knew him.

Above all, Don possessed an astonishing intellect, a sharp wit, and a boundless sense of humor combined with the gentlest and most tender heart. Don continues to teach us today.

He was preceded in death by his nephew, Kellen J. Poultney.

He is survived by his two beautiful daughters, Kaleigh Francis, age 12, and Delaney Mae, age 10, who he loved and adored; four brothers, Frank Oakes and his wife Wendy of Naples, Fla., Mitch Oakes of Ft. Myers, Fla., Rick Oakes of Pennsville, N.J. and Bill Oakes of St. James City, Fla.; four sisters, Bonnie Giordano and her husband Chuck of Downingtown, Pa., Connie Poultney and her husband Len of Middletown, Theresa Ashbrook and her husband Dave of Middletown, and Kim Barba and her husband Tim of Avondale, Pa.; and six nieces and six nephews.

Friends and family are invited to visit from 6-9 p.m. Thursday in St. Joseph's Parish Hall, 115 Cleaver Farm Road, Middletown.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 321 E. Main Street, Middletown.

Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Smyrna.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Don Oakes Memorial Fund, c/o Wilmington Trust Company, 399 East Main Street, Middletown, DE 19709. Contributions in Don's memory will support the Christiana High School Athletic and Academic programs.