Sovereign, Oakley Gerhard ?-2008

SOVEREIGN

Posted By: Jill McCarville (email)
Date: 7/27/2013 at 17:31:58

East Grand Rapids, MI

Visitation for Oakley G. Sovereign will be held Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Service, Grand Rapids, MI.

Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Service in Grand Rapids, MI handled the arrangements.

Oakley,79, died Friday, April 18, 2008 from cancer.

Oakley Gerhard Sovereign was born in York, MN,raised in Cresco, IA and graduated from Cresco High School and the University of Iowa.

He was a true patriot who enlisted in the Army ROTC while in college, and became a decorated veteran and quiet hero while serving his country proudly, and with distinction, as a 1st Lieutenant in the Korean War, receiving the Combat Infantry Badge among other noteworthy recognition.

Oakley owned and operated Sovereign Incorporated advertising agency for 35 years and enjoyed playing tennis or listening to big band greats like Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller and the Harry James Orchestra. His favorite authors were James Joyce, E.E. Cummings, William F. Buckley and Ralph Waldo Emerson. He loved lobster and Bloody Marys, God and country, his family so dearly and for 57 wonderful years his beloved wife Eleanore.

Oakley was a faithful member of Mayflower Congregational Church, he had a strong interest in genealogy and was a past chapter and State President of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was fascinated by history and especially noted the battle at Old Navy Bridge, Concord, Massachusetts April 19, 1775, known as "The Shot Heard 'Round The World" as a landmark in time. It was later immortalized by Emerson himself in The Concord Hymn and Oakley so loved each stanza. That battle's anniversary is one day after Oakley's last.

He is survived by his wife:Eleanore; one son;: Brooke (Kari) Sovereign; and one grandson: Parker.

Times Plain Dealer April 23, 2008 Page 6A
Transcribed by Jill McCarville form the files of Janice Sowers