Jerry Dennis Oakman

February 18, 1947 – January 21, 2026

Jerry Dennis Oakman passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 21, 2026. He was 78 years old.

Jerry grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, with his older brother Bob (Robert Lee Oakman III). He was the second child of Robert Lee Oakman Jr. and Virginia Dickey Oakman. He had a fun childhood and was a southern boy at heart his entire life.

As a child, Jerry was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation, a heart condition that meant he could no longer play sports. He became the baseball team statistician instead, carefully recording games on scorecards. He was the editor of the high school yearbook, played piano for musicals, and won poetry contests.

Virginia was a piano teacher and taught Jerry how to play. He was good at it. Jerry liked being good at things.

Jerry Oakman played "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin.

Jerry earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1969, and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi in 1973. During medical school, professors used him as a teaching example: "Everyone come listen to Jerry's heart."

For five summers during college, he worked at Nippersink Manor Resort on Mackinac Island in Michigan. He was the social director for kids by day and piano player for guests by night. His roommate was a magician who taught him card tricks. He had fond memories of those summers.

Jerry Oakman listened to "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.

After medical school, Jerry completed his internship with credit and distinction at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He moved to Houston and worked in the emergency department at Spring Branch Memorial Hospital. Both of his children would be born here.

Jerry married Jo Ann Beaty on July 22, 1977, at St. Philip's Presbyterian Church in Houston. Together they had two children: Erin Leigh Oakman (born July 12, 1981) and Christopher Scott Oakman (born June 18, 1984).

On April 5, 1982, he opened his own family medicine practice in the Spring-Cypress area. He was a founding physician of Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital. His patients loved his straightforward approach and practical advice.

Jerry Oakman listened to "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne Warwick.

Jerry and Jo Ann had fun competing in chili cook-offs. After a string of wins, they developed their recipe into Pecos Red Chili (available at fine retailers everywhere). Jerry was always proud of Pecos Red.

Jerry always owned a truck or two and several RVs. He loved to take his family camping and taught his children how to fish, ride bicycles, and play piano and chess.

He loved Thanksgiving and Christmas and went hard on those holidays for his family.

Jerry Oakman listened to "Gone Country" by Alan Jackson.

Jerry and Jo Ann later divorced, and Jerry met Darla Kathleen Silence. Jerry and Darla married at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on November 6, 1999.

Darla brought three sons into the marriage: Cody, Kyle, and Luke. Jerry became a father figure to them. He took them camping, taught them to fish, and cooked for them.

Jerry and Darla lived happily together until his death. They settled at Lake Conroe, where they made good friends in the Bentwater neighborhood. They took many trips together, shared dinners with neighborhood friends, and enjoyed the company of two cats: Cokie and Pokie. Jerry loved to go back to Las Vegas every few years and play video poker.

Jerry and Darla Oakman danced to "Destiny" by Jim Brickman at their wedding.

Jerry loved music his whole life. He had a grand piano in the living room, a jukebox in the game room, and big speakers in the garage.

Jerry loved toys: trucks, RVs, grills, computers. He was on the internet before most people knew what it was.

Jerry loved fishing and an ice-cold beer.

Jerry loved Coke, Dr Pepper, key lime pie, cherry cordials, and Ferrero Rochers at Christmas.

Jerry loved Texas and adopted Texas culture more than your average Texan.

Jerry was a horrible cook. Then, later in life, he became a great cook. It was a big turn-around story.

Jerry loved being a doctor. He did not like the medical system, but he loved to help people feel better.

Jerry loved both of his wives.

Jerry was a smart man, and he liked being smart.

Jerry was a storyteller. He loved to tell stories and share with anyone who would listen. Some of his stories were true, but they were always entertaining.

At the end of his career, Jerry shut down his practice and took a job at a hospital. He was offered a two-year signing bonus and lasted 18 months. Jerry was incapable of having a boss.

After retirement, Jerry Oakman kept busy with cooking, trips with Darla, sudoku, and even did some casual DJing. He always made time to watch the baseball game.

Jerry Oakman liked to play "I Swear" by All-4-One.

Jerry developed a form of Alzheimer's disease and moved into assisted living in his final months. He went by "Doctor Oakman" and liked to tell stories to the nurses. He enjoyed visits from his family and always had a steady supply of Coca-Cola and candy bars.

On Tuesday, January 20th, Jerry Oakman grabbed a handful of candy on his way to bed. He sat in bed eating it, turned off the light, and went to sleep. He passed in the early morning hours the next day.

Jerry Oakman listened to "Russell County Line" by 49 Winchester.

Jerry is survived by his wife Darla Oakman; his daughter Erin Leigh Oakman; his son Christopher Scott Oakman; three grandchildren: Laura Ann Smith, Scott Andrew Oakman, and Julia Joy Oakman; and three stepsons: Cody Toler, Kyle Stokes, and Luke Stokes.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert Lee Oakman Jr.; his mother Virginia Oakman; and his brother Robert Lee Oakman III.