Gregg Victor Oakley, of Buchtel, Ohio, passed away on August 26, 2025, from injuries sustained in an accident at his home. He was 69 years old.
Gregg was born on February 23, 1956, at Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital in Nelsonville, Ohio, the son of Jack Victor Oakley and Dorothy Lee Oakley (née DeVore). He was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church by Rev. John Lloyd Evans, where he later served as an ordained Deacon.
As a youth, Gregg was active in Scouting and a proud member of Boy Scout Troop #69 in Nelsonville and the Order of the Arrow. He graduated from Nelsonville-York High School in 1974, where he was a member of the golf and wrestling teams and was honored as a scholar-athlete his senior year. He also played tenor saxophone alongside lifelong best friend Steve Cox, under Mary Jane McKinley in the Buckeye marching and concert bands, and was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Gregg earned his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University in 1978 and his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1981. He was both a Certified Public Accountant and an attorney, licensed to practice law in Ohio. Gregg served as past president of Drydock Coal Company, but spent his most enjoyable career years at Athens County Job and Family Services under then Director Jack Frech.
Gregg had a deep love of golf, history novels on a quiet porch, cheering on the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds, and passionately following the Nelsonville-York and Ohio State Buckeyes. But above all else, his greatest joy came from time spent with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Cathy Diane (née Newman) the daughter of Joan Newman and the late Paul Newman; his two children Cory Oakley and Erin Oakley; and three cherished grandchildren, Easton Elliott, Kristian Lobo, and Kayla Mohney. He also leaves behind his great-granddaughter, Emsley Elliott.
Gregg is further survived by his brothers Mark Oakley, Timothy (Melissa) Oakley, and John (Mary) Oakley; nieces Victoria Oakley, Ashley (Lance) Balzer, and MacKenzie (Nathan) Newlun; nephew Samuel Oakley; and grandnieces and grandnephews Payden, Lincoln, and Zoe Balzer, and Benjamin and Mabel Newlun.
Services will be held at Warran Brown Funeral Home in Nelsonville. Calling hours will be on Friday August 29, 2025, from 4pm to 6pm. A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 30, 2025, at 11am. There will be no graveside service. Refreshments after the service will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Nelsonville.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Gregg’s name to his favorite charity the Nelsonville Food Cupboard.
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