John Earl Oaks

John Earl Oaks passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday, December 18th in his home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was born in Guntersville, Alabama on October 10th, 1934. He is survived by his wife Carmina Oaks, his son Miguel Oaks, and his daughter Ina Moon.

Protector of Mother Nature, he worked as a Park Ranger in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada and at Elk River Lodge State Park in Athens, Alabama. His love of Mexico took him on a journey visiting archaeological sites and indigenous towns. He later started an import-export business of Mexican arts and crafts. In Jackson he worked at Indian Traders for 12 years.

He was a strikingly charming man with a remarkable life full of adventures and stories worthy of a novel. He had a keen eye and an enormous heart. He was a great honest salesman, a pacifist Marine. He cared deeply about animals, our planet, and our democracy. He loved a good laugh. His memory is a blessing.