James Eural Oakley, 83, of Nebo, KY passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at NHC Healthcare of Madisonville.

He was born on February 16, 1935 in Veazey, KY to the late Verlie and Floyd Oakley. James retired after fifty-four years with Madisonville Tire and Retreading and was a self employed farmer. He was a member of Oakley Home General Baptist Church in Manitou, KY.  James enjoyed reading and politics but his true love was farming and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandson, Scotty Lester; brother, Marshall Oakley; sister, Ruth Ferrell; half-brother, Strother Burton; and his half-sister, Macil Davenport.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-six years, Betty Oakley; sons, Rick Oakley and wife, Cindy and Shawn Oakley both of Nebo; daughters, Sherri Hardeman and husband, Doug of Nashville, TN and Tonya Deese of Madisonville, KY; sister, Jo Nell Sullivan of Evansville, IN; grandson, Christian Oakley; granddaughters, Tiffany Mays and husband, Shane, Faith Lutz and husband, Ben, Brittany Blue and husband, Colin, Erin Blanford and husband, Dylan, Ashton Crook and husband, Austin and MacKenzie Oakley; great-granddaughters, Katelyn and Scarlett; great-grandsons, Zack, Aiden, Noah and Jack; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Bro. Rick E. Oakley officiating and Bro. David Bumpus and Pastor Gary Turner officiating. Burial to follow at Oakley Home Cemetery in Manitou.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Rick Oakley, Shawn Oakley, Christian Oakley, Doug Hardeman, Shane Mays, Ben Lutz, Colin Blue, Austin Crook and Dylan Blandford.

Memorial contributions may be made in James' memory to the Oakley Home Cemetery Fund.