Ronald Oakley
Col. Ronald K. Oakley, USAF (Ret.), 62, of Beavercreek, Ohio, former Oberlin resident, died, September 8, 1997, at his home.
Mr. Oakley was born in Chicago, Il, and grew up in Oberlin. He graduated from Oberlin High School in 1952 and from Oberlin College in 1956. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1986 after 30 years of service. Currently, he was a real estate agent with Bill Hill Realty in Beavercreek.
During the Vietnam War, Col. Oakley had served as an RF-4C pilot and as a squadron commander of the 526th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
He was a command pilot with 5,600 hours of flying time. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Margaret (nee Simmerer); his father, Charles, resident of Golden Acres Nursing Home in Amherst; his mother, Marion Oakley of Oberlin; a daughter, Rhonda Doney; four sons, Charles, Randall, Richard, and David Oakley; eight grandchildren; and two sisters, Marilyn Stern of North Olmsted and Noel Oakley of Oberlin.
Funeral services with full military honors were held at 3 pm, September 24, at Arlington National Cemetery.