James Carl Oakley, 81, of Columbia, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023. He was born in Bessemer, Alabama, on August 22, 1942, to James Carel Oakley and Frances Vines Oakley.
James was a charter member of First Baptist Church of Irmo. He was very active in the church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School Director, Sunday School teacher, and church treasurer. He was also on the Building Committee and a faithful usher.
James was a proud graduate of Auburn University, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He worked at Eastman Kodak as a mechanical engineer for many years and retired from International Paper after they acquired Eastman Kodak.
James is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean Carroll Oakley. He is also survived by his daughters, Kimberly Oakley and Julie Oakley; his sisters, Emily, Ann, Kathy, Debbie, and Lisa; and his grandchildren, Hunter Fallat, Isaac Case (Brittanie), and George Case (Caitlyn). He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Irmo. The Reverend Blair M. Smith will officiate. Mr. Oakley will be placed in the church at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the service. Burial in Bush River Memorial Gardens will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home (810 Maxwell Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or http://www.conniemaxwell.com)or First Baptist Church of Irmo (7068 Nursery Road, Columbia, SC 29212 or https://firstbaptistirmo.org)in James’s memory.
