Michael Lynn Oakden

Born September 2, 1953, to Karen Jean Paice and Robert John Oakden in Cedar City Utah. Michael had three brothers Robert Oakden, Mark Oakden and Joey Martinez. He had one special baby sister Ann Oakden, he loved them all very much. 

Mike grew up in White City Utah. He enjoyed playing baseball, running with the neighborhood crew, riding bikes, exploring and had a fun and adventurous childhood. Being born to a teenage mom he was a big helper and caretaker early on in life. He often told stories of taking care of his siblings and his mom and him were extremely close. She depended on him greatly and truth be told, this is where Mike learned to care for others so lovingly. His mom taught him how to cook, do laundry, and take care of children. 

At an early age he experienced pure heartbreak when his mother unexpectedly died from appendicitis when he was months short of turning 16. He missed and grieved over her the rest of his life. After his mother's passing in July 1969 Mike moved to Beaver and lived with his Grandparents Elmer and Vie Paice. His grandparents adored and loved Mike and they became more like his parents to him than his grandparents. Their relationship was full of comfort and love and Mike took exceptional care of each of them in their later years. 

Mike attended Beaver High School and graduated with the Class of 1971. He could have been a star athlete in basketball and baseball but at that time he felt he could not focus on sports because he was too busy having fun running with the Crazy crowd as he referred to them. He made lifelong friends growing up in Beaver and these memories were shared often and fondly with his family for the rest of his life. 

After Graduation Mike returned to Salt Lake to work for his dad at his dad’s gas station. Soon after returning to Salt Lake, he met Coralee (Cori) Brown in February of 1972. He fell head over heels for her and they were Married on November 25, 1972, at St. Marks’s Cathedral in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were only 19 years old when they started out together. They have spent 50 years together; they were inseparable and the Best of friends. They went through good times and tough times, but they never gave up on one another. Mike cared for Cori in their later years and his love for her and sacrifice was great. Our Dad truly was an example of love, faithfulness and was completely committed to his wife. He has struggled since she passed away in 2022, he still attended his dad duties and Grandpa duties but her absence in his life was painful to witness. He genuinely loved her with all his heart. 

The early years were spent traveling and moving around. Mike was in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist. Starting at Rantoul, Illinois at Chanute Air Force Base. From there, they moved to Vacaville, California Travis Air Force Base, while residing there their first daughter Crystal Lynn Oakden was born in 1973. Their little family moved to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and then onto Dyess Air Force Base and resided in Albany, Texas. After an Honorable Discharge for the service, Cory and Mike relocated to Sandy, Utah. Then their second daughter, Heather Elizabeth Oakden was born in 1978. Mike was soon hired by the Union Pacific Railroad, and they decided to move their family to Beaver, Utah in 1981.He worked almost 30 years on the railroad making more friends and creating more fun memories that he has reminisced over and over. While working on the railroad he decided he wanted to take a shot at college and in his free time went back to school attending Southern Utah State Collage in Cedar. He worked hard and received A Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He was immensely proud of this accomplishment. 

While residing in Beaver many happy and fun times took place in those years. He spent the years in Beaver raising his daughters who he considered his best accomplishments, and he was so proud of them both. Dad coached soccer, minor league baseball, and basketball. He was a wonderful Dad, always being supportive in whatever activity in which we were involved. He followed us around to dance competitions, to watch us cheer or watch us play softball, volleyball, and basketball. 

In 1996 Cori and Mike moved to Bountiful Utah and later built their dream home in Syracuse Utah. They have resided in Syracuse for over 20 years and in this time, Mike has made many friends. He was a frequent shopper and friend to many at Smith’s in Syracuse, they watched over Mike and always took the time to listen to his stories. He was a familiar face and friend to Syracuse Library, Syracuse Fizz, Layton Vasa yoga and had many friends playing Pickleball at Syracuse rec center. He had wonderful neighbors that looked after him. He did enjoy his life and routines in Syracuse. 

As his grandchildren entered his life, they became his focus. He spent those years loving and chasing his grandkids around. He was the kind of guy who always became friends with their friends. Many of the grandkids’ friends referred to him as Grandpa Mike. He brought food, treats, love, and support wherever he went to check on his grandkids or attend their activities. He even volunteered to coach two of his granddaughters in softball. It was cool to see him do this later in life, yet even at this older stage of life he connected with these girls and friendships were made and Mike kept track of his team and was a Fan in their later High School Softball days. 

It’s hard to condense a lifetime of love and memories in an obituary, our Dad and Grandpa was truly one of a kind. He had a unique spiritual side and his love for God and Jesus he truly took to heart. He never ignored an opportunity to help a stranger, and he gave of his service and time as much as he could. 

Mike had a love for learning. He spent his whole life reading every book he could get his hands on. He had a love for music that lasted throughout his life, he listened to every kind of music so he could relate to whatever the kids were listening to. He enjoyed sports, talk shows, news, anything to do with learning. The last few years after mom died, he was still going to yoga and pickleball. He was truly a people person and to say he will be deeply missed by the many who loved him dearly is truly an understatement. 

Mike is survived by his daughters, Crystal Oakden (Beaver), Heather Marshall (West Point), Grandkids: Triston and Nastassaja Smith (Ogden,) , Colton and Mady Smith (Ogden) Cherish Smith (Layton) Stoney Lofland (Beaver), Gracie Lofland (Beaver), Corbyn Marshall (Stafford, West Virginia), Emery and Karson Nielson( Fort Worth, Texas) Fallyn Marshall (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,) Scotlyn Marshall and Wyatt (Layton,) and his first Great Granddaughter who he adored Kaia Nielson; Son -in Law, Scott Marshall; Siblings Mark and Stacy Oakden( Stacy, Texas), Sister- in- Law Christy Oakden (Ut) Sister- in-law Judy and Larry Volk(Bountiful) Sister-in-Law Connie Brown (Farmington) Sister-in-law Robin Jensen and John(New Port Richey Florida) and many loving and wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Mike was preceded in death by his wife Coralee Brown Oakden, Karen Paice Oakden (Mother)John Oakden (Father), Vie Cartwright Paice (Grandma), George Elmer Paice (Grandpa), Robert Oakden (Brother), Ann Oakden (Sister), Brandon Milo Smith (Son in law). Gail Brown Sr. (Father-in-Law), Mary Carter Brown (Mother-in-Law), Gail (Rusty) Brown Jr, (Brother-in-law), Ryan Wolfe(nephew). 

The family would like to Thank Dr. Brett Burtenshaw and Syracuse Tanner clinic for all the compassion, kindness and care given to our dad and Grandpa. 

A viewing will be held on Thursday November 14, 2024, at Lindquist Mortuary Syracuse Utah from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A simple gathering on Friday November 15, 2024, at Southern Utah Mortuary in Beaver Utah at 1:00 p.m. Graveside following in Beaver Cemetery to lay to rest together Cory and Mike in their final resting place. 

Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary. 

Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com