John E. Oakes was born to Edna (Von Fosen) and Emory Oakes on May 18th, 1901 in Gypsum Kansas. He didn't have a middle name when he was born and when half grown decided on Everett so he could have the initials J.E. Most people called him Johnny. After reading a book called "Three years in Arkansas" his papa bought eighty acres near Monticello, Arkansas. Johnny thought that would be great if it were anything like the book said. They arrived in Deane Arkansas September 28, 1916. At age 16 Johnny was helping his papa in a shingle mill he had bought, Johnny got his hand in the way of the saw. It was so mangled it had to be amputated at the wrist. It never stopped him. He said he has and will never be disabled. He built things and was a natural inventor although he never patented anything. He ran a shop and garage for many years. His motto was"The hard jobs we do immediately, but the impossible takes a little while longer". He was a welder and built their home from rocks he got here in Arkansas. He had a saw mill and made tomato boxes (the old wood ones) and tomato stakes.
Johnny and his first wife Ethel had one son Johnny or Junior as we call him although he is not a "Junior". Ethel died suddenly and he then married Beryl Root. They had one daughter named Betty. They soon divorced and Johnny married 16 year old Faye Rash (she is my mamaw). They had four children, Nora, Charles,Chester and LaVeda. All were raised and still reside in Monticello except Chester who was killed in an auto accident at age 12.
My Papaw was and still is a big inspiration to his family. He was a man of few words but big on action. If it needed done he did it.
Johnny and his first wife Ethel had one son Johnny or Junior as we call him although he is not a "Junior". Ethel died suddenly and he then married Beryl Root. They had one daughter named Betty. They soon divorced and Johnny married 16 year old Faye Rash (she is my mamaw). They had four children, Nora, Charles,Chester and LaVeda. All were raised and still reside in Monticello except Chester who was killed in an auto accident at age 12.
My Papaw was and still is a big inspiration to his family. He was a man of few words but big on action. If it needed done he did it.
John E. Oakes was born to Edna (Von Fosen) and Emory Oakes on May 18th, 1901 in Gypsum Kansas. He didn't have a middle name when he was born and when half grown decided on Everett so he could have the initials J.E. Most people called him Johnny. After reading a book called "Three years in Arkansas" his papa bought eighty acres near Monticello, Arkansas. Johnny thought that would be great if it were anything like the book said. They arrived in Deane Arkansas September 28, 1916. At age 16 Johnny was helping his papa in a shingle mill he had bought, Johnny got his hand in the way of the saw. It was so mangled it had to be amputated at the wrist. It never stopped him. He said he has and will never be disabled. He built things and was a natural inventor although he never patented anything. He ran a shop and garage for many years. His motto was"The hard jobs we do immediately, but the impossible takes a little while longer". He was a welder and built their home from rocks he got here in Arkansas. He had a saw mill and made tomato boxes (the old wood ones) and tomato stakes.
Johnny and his first wife Ethel had one son Johnny or Junior as we call him although he is not a "Junior". Ethel died suddenly and he then married Beryl Root. They had one daughter named Betty. They soon divorced and Johnny married 16 year old Faye Rash (she is my mamaw). They had four children, Nora, Charles,Chester and LaVeda. All were raised and still reside in Monticello except Chester who was killed in an auto accident at age 12.
My Papaw was and still is a big inspiration to his family. He was a man of few words but big on action. If it needed done he did it.
Johnny and his first wife Ethel had one son Johnny or Junior as we call him although he is not a "Junior". Ethel died suddenly and he then married Beryl Root. They had one daughter named Betty. They soon divorced and Johnny married 16 year old Faye Rash (she is my mamaw). They had four children, Nora, Charles,Chester and LaVeda. All were raised and still reside in Monticello except Chester who was killed in an auto accident at age 12.
My Papaw was and still is a big inspiration to his family. He was a man of few words but big on action. If it needed done he did it.
