Kevin Kermit Oakes, 29, of Ghent, NY passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 9th, 2025, his soul enveloped in the arms of his family. Kevin was born on June 19th, 1995, to Kermit W. Oakes and Deneen J. Browne.
Kevin was known for his quick-witted humor, perfect comedic timing, and an incredible ability to cut the tension in any room. He consistently knew how to brighten your day, especially after thoroughly annoying you first, just because he could. Kevin had the heart of a prankster and would do anything to make you laugh, though his own laugh was the most infectious of them all.
Kevin loved adventure and lived fearlessly. From building questionable bike jumps, skydiving, or packing up on a whim for an EDM festival, his pursuit of the thrill of life was apparent. With this came his love of nature, where he sought out the best views on the most untrodden paths- at the top of mountain, a remote beach, or on the slopes with his snowboard. Kevin found the joy wherever he went and made the sweetest lemonade with every lemon thrown his way.
Above all, Kevin will be remembered for his unending capacity to love and his ability to cultivate unique and deeply meaningful relationships. There was no conversation or miniscule detail that Kevin forgot, and he made sure you knew it. Kevin mastered the art of listening by also reminding you of those moments you'd rather forget. Despite his perfectly balanced love-to-roast ratio, you always knew Kevin was your most trusted confidant and biggest supporter; nothing bad would ever happen to you knowing Kevin had your back.
Kevin was (sternly) welcomed into the afterlife by grandparents Kermit Oakes, Lucia and Jim Osuch, William Bertoldi, Barbara Scarduzio, Thomas Browne, Madelyn Browne, and Aunt Lucy Reynolds. Kevin's legacy will live on through the family he cherished. He is survived by his mother, Deneen, who was the entire world to him; father, Kermit, who was the sun, moon, and stars; his 2nd father, Robert Browne, who taught Kevin how to love and be loved and what the word "unconditional" meant, brother Joseph Leone, whom he spent countless hours gaming with and talking about life; sister Ashley Oakes, who was his greatest teacher, in both academics and the path less taken; sister Samantha Oakes, his lifelong partner in crime and #1 protector; sister Elizabeth Browne, his Gemini twin and the Yang to his Yin; niece Cecilia Southard, whom he taught his sassiest comebacks to and will carry on his notorious chirps; nephews Kade and Walker Leone, who learned from Kevin how to be goofy and silly without apology; bonus mom Jennifer Duncan, who taught Kevin patience and shared the call of the ocean, step-sister Grace Duncan, whom he spent many late-nights with pondering the galaxy and their place on earth; fur-babies Mojo, Pippy, Titters, and Ozzie whom he treasured, along with the pets he lost that are waiting for him on the rainbow bridge; Uncles Donnie and Joe; Aunts Missy, Molly, and Mary; Cousins Meagan, Joey, Jaidyn, MaKayla, Kim, Krystal, Connie, and Paul; nephews Kayce and Makai; step-brother Joshua Duncan, as well as many other extended friends and family; and finally, Kevin's childhood sweetheart and the only love he ever knew, Mikayla Stalker, whom he spent half of his life loving and will continue to shroud in love for eternity. For all the love that surrounded Kevin, one universal truth remains fact: his one true love was his Ray-Ban sunglasses, which he is wearing on a beach right now with a Long Island Iced Tea in hand, waiting for the day we are reunited once again. "i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)"
Services will be held privately for close family and friends because if Kevin has to hear one person say, "He lit up every room he entered," (although true), he will haunt all of us until the end of time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kevin's name to Out of the Pits: P.O. Box 2311 – Albany, New York 12220, donations@outofthepits.org For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com