Nat Wayne Oaks

Wayne Oaks – Kingsport, TN

Nat Wayne Oaks, 87, a/k/a Unky Wayne, changed his earthly home address from Kingsport, TN to his Heavenly Father’s address in Heaven on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Holston Valley Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer.

Wayne was a loving and very caring individual who was always more than willing to help anyone who would call on him for assistance, no matter the need. Wayne always seemed the happiest when he was whistling or singing a tune and dropping a fishing line in the water when he had the opportunity. 

He was of the Baptist faith and truly loved the Lord.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served on the U.S.S. Cascade. Wayne was also a dedicated lifetime member of the Scott County Life Saving Crew from which he retired after 20+ years and earning several service accommodations during his tenure. He also worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., Coca Cola Bottling Co. as well as for various construction companies.

Wayne was born on February 28, 1937, to Robert Clarence and Callie (Smythe) Oaks who preceded him in death, along with several brothers and sisters, Robert, Gene, Jack, Jimmy, Emmett (Dick), Don, Bud, Carrie Smythe, Mary Dennison, and Betty Ward, and several nieces and nephews.

Wayne is survived by the love of his life, Joy Shipley, and their precious doggie, Pebbles, as well as Joy’s children, Brooks and Ann, Eddie and Tina, and Tony and Angela, several loving nieces, Wanda Salyer, Lynn Hensley, Delores Williams, and Cynthia Ridings. He is also survived by a special young man, Austin Davis, whom he loved as a son, many great nieces, nephews, and long-time friends, Eddie Crawford and Raymond Lane.

Those of us who talked with Wayne almost daily will sorely miss our conversations with him. 

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Gate City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 8:00 pm., in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Jimmy Darnell officiating.

Military Graveside Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2024, at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, VA by the American Legion Hammond Post #3, Kingsport, TN and Post #265, Gate City, VA. Taps will be played by Zackary Salyer, Wayne’s great great nephew, as requested by Wayne.

Eddie Crawford, Joel Williams, Danny Miles, Brooks Shipley, Zackary Salyer, Eddie Shipley, and Lester Williams will serve as pallbearers.

Johnny Crawford, Sweet William Salyer, Scotty Salyer, Raymond Lane, and Rick Darnell will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Amylynn Crawford and Dr. Matthew Woods of Rural Health Medical Consortium, the doctors and nurses at Ballad Health Cancer Center for their loving, caring attention shown to Wayne, and to the fifth-floor nurses at Holston Valley Medical Center for their kind attention to Wayne and his family during his hospital stay.

An online guest register is available for the Oaks family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Nat Wayne Oaks.