Chuck Klein Oakley

Chuck Klein Oakley, 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2025 at his home on Crestwood Drive in Roxboro, NC. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 40 years, Patricia Clayton Oakley; his parents, John Wesley Oakley and Ethel Adcock Oakley; and three brothers, Roy Wilson Oakley, George Wesley Oakley, and J.B. Oakley. Surviving are two sons, Chad Clayton Oakley of Durham, NC and Kyle Stephens Oakley (Faith Marie) of Boone, NC; two grandsons, Emmitt Oakley and Silas Oakley; and about a dozen nieces and nephews.

After completing high school in Roxboro, Chuck studied at the Feagin School of Drama in New York City, before being drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served two years as an x-ray technician in Germany. With a scholarship from the military, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Elon College, where he was editor of the college newspaper. He subsequently received his Master's degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In Person County, Chuck worked as principal at Olive Hill Elementary School for 8 years and at Woodland Elementary School for 20 years. He also served on the Roxboro City Council for 8 years and the Person County Board of Education for 4 years, during which he was president of the N.C. Principals Executive Program for school principals statewide.

Chuck was passionate about his hobbies: (1) As an actor, he performed in The Lost Colony in Manteo, NC, Unto These Hills in Cherokee, NC, and Chucky Jack in Gatlinburg, TN. At Elon College, he received the Best Actor Award for his performance in Arthur Miller's All My Sons. (2) As a world traveler, he worked for Holiday Motor Tours in Danville, VA for 5 years, during which he led a number of tour groups in the U.S. and Canada. At age 85, he went on a cruise to Antarctica, thereby completing his visit to all seven continents. He worked on two trips with Friendship Force, set up by President Carter for cultural exchange, and two additional trips with Citizens for International Understanding, which had a similar mission. (3) As a gourmand, he organized the local Bon vivant club for fellow food connoisseurs and with his wife Pat enjoyed hosting dinner parties, including the Wednesday Night Supper and Christmas events with 7 Christmas trees, each with a theme. He boasted about the awards they received in several Christmas editions of Festive Fare.

Chuck was a long-term member of Roxboro Baptist Church, where he served as deacon for several years. He also set up the Roxboro Baptist Church Roadrunners, in which he and Janice Johnson led fellow church members on excursions in the southeast part of the country.

A Celebration of Life, officiated by Rev. Mike Moose, will be held at the Roxboro Baptist Church at 2PM, Sunday, September 28, 2025, on Main Street in Roxboro, NC. A Visitation will be held Saturday from 4-5:30PM at the Brooks & White Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Charles Strange, Tony Clayton, Barry Tucker, James Mangum, John Betterton, John Lee, and Jim Rhodes. The family sincerely thank Chuck's primary caregiver, Mary McKinney, as well as Linda Harris, Janice Johnson, and his many friends who provided love and support during his illness. Memorial donations may be made to the Roxboro Baptist Church and/or to your favorite charities.