Robert Jeffrey Oakley (Jeff), 72, of Palm City Florida died peacefully on the morning of Friday April 24, 2026, with family by his side.

He was born to the late Robert Lewis Oakley and Patricia Ann Oakley on May 28, 1953, in Middletown, Ohio. The family moved to Palatine, Illinois when he was 4 and Jeff graduated from Fremd High School in 1971. During high school, he lettered in wrestling and was the number one player for the golf team all four years. After graduating high school, he attended Arizona State University in Tempe and then transferred to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he graduated in 1976 with a BA in education and a certificate in teaching. He met his wife Debra while living in Champaign and they married in November of 1976.

Jeff was a very successful steel salesman for more than 40 years, earning the top sales position at all three companies that he worked for. He had a life-long love for the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears and spent most weekends golfing. Jeff and Debbie moved to Florida in 2016 and after Jeff retired in 2020, he enjoyed playing golf, trap shooting, traveling, cooking, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Debra, his children Taryn Oakley and Kristen (Phillip) Keck, his grandchildren Finn, Casper, Harper and Charlotte, his sister Cheryl (Raymond) Mobile and his brother Mark Oakley.

In honor of Jeff, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society.

Jeff was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, pop-pop and pappy, and friend. He will be missed dearly.