Oakley, Stanley (1901-1964)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

STANLEY OAKLEY: born in Castleford in 1901. He entered the ministry in 1926 after training at Hartley College and took his first appointment at Wisbech. He travelled thence in the following circuits : Richmond, Yorkshire; Sudbury; Newport (Stow Hill), Salop; Walsall; Ely; Cambridge; Leeds (Armley); Norwich and Wimbledon and Papworth. 

Stanley Oakley loved the Old Testament. His heroes were the prophets and he himself was in the line of the prophets. At the same time he was a real evangelist, zealously proclaiming the truths of God’s redeeming love in Christ. He had a lively mind and a great breadth of interest, reading avidly and thinking clearly. He had a deep love for his Lord and for people. It was this which made him such a faithful pastor, and such was his sympathetic consideration of others, that he was trusted with their most intimate confidences. He was a leader and friend who gave himself to his people, and in his prayers brought them into the presence of the Master. He was utterly loyal, completely frank, generous in praise and kind in criticism. As a colleague he was a true brother, giving gladly his help, support and encouragement. 

He took up his new appointment at Papworth Village Settlement in September 1964 where it was hoped he would retire as an active supernumerary.  He was taken ill, however, within a few days of his appointment and died in Cambridge hospital on 11 October 1964 in the sixty-third year of his age and in the thirty-ninth of his ministry.

Family

Stanley was born on 22 March 1901 at Castleford, Yorkshire, to parents John, a miner, and Elizabeth. He was baptised in 17 April 1901 at Bradley Street PM Chapel.

He married Dorothy Helen Gentle (1899-1987) in the summer of 1930 in the Cambridge Registration District, Cambridgeshire. Birth records identify one child.

• Doreen Margaret (1932-2007)

Stanley died on 11 October 1964 at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1926 Wisbech
• 1927 Richmond, Yorks
• 1928 Sudbury
• 1930 Newport
• 1933 Walsall
• 1936 Ely
• 1939 Cambridge
• 1945 Leeds, Armley
• 1951 Norwich, Cal
• 1958 London, Wimbledon
• 1964 Papworth

References

Methodist Minutes 1965/181

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers