Clifford Allen Oakley

Clifford Allen Oakley Port Orange, Florida Clifford Allen Oakley passed away in Port Orange, Florida on July 18, 2009. He was born on October 5, 1944 in Stockbridge, Michigan to Orla J. Oakley and Lula Jane (Kneale) Oakley. Graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1962 and immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served in Okinawa and when in Rome, Italy he served his country as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy. It was in Rome that he met his future wife, Karen Marie Laroche. They were married in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts. When he returned home to Stockbridge in 1967, he became a deputy with the Ingham County Sheriffs Department. He served in many areas during his 28 years with the department that included working in the jail and county courts, and road patrol. He also served as a detective and local Stockbridge police officer as a Ingham County Sheriff. During a 7-year break from being a sheriff, he introduced the Dairyland Seed Company to the eastern half of Michigan. He also work for DeKalb Seed Company. Mr. Oakley graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice from Michigan State in December 1979. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Pearl Kneale; his father, Orla J. Oakley; and one brother, Charles B. Oakley. Her is survived by his wife, Karen, and three sons: Christopher and Kristie Oakley of Jackson, Michigan; John and Krista Oakley of Bellefontaine, Ohio; and Edward Oakley of Port Orange, Florida. He is also survived by his mother, Lula Jane Oakley of Mason, Michigan; a brother, Gary F. and Mary Oakley of Leota, Michigan; our "Practice Kid", Daniel Plott of Tomball, Texas, and four grandchildren, Samantha, Arielle, Ty, and Hunter. A celebration of Cliff's life will be held at Stockbridge American Legion Hall on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 2 p.m. If you would like to make a donation, Clifford's favorite charity was the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.