San Francisco

Dec. 26, 1945 — April 10, 2016

Jay Clarence Oakman, 70, a retired commander in the U.S. Coast Guard, passed away unexpectedly at his home in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, April 10, 2016.

Jay was born on Dec. 26, 1945 in Portland, Oregon, and was preceded in death by his loving parents, James Clarence Oakman and Kathryn Eddings Oakman.

Jay was a Boy Scout during his early years. After graduating from Seaside High School in 1964, Jay attended Oregon State University and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1968.

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1968 and held assignments in Alameda, California, and Hawaii. Jay achieved much during his time in the Coast Guard: Commissioned as an ensign in 1970 at the Officers Candidate School in Yorktown, Virginia, he completed the U.S. Navy Flight Training School in Pensacola, Florida, in 1971, and served on the Coast Guard cutter Sherman in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1972.

He also served as Reserve Program administrator at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; received a master’s of science management at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, in 1979; held the position of public affairs officer in the San Francisco Coast Guard District Office; attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1986; held assignments at the Maintenance and Logistics Command on Governor’s Island in New York; and served at Coast Guard Headquarters prior to an assignment at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he served as Coast Guard liaison.

In 1981 Jay was listed in the publication, “Outstanding Young Men of America.” He retired from the U.S. Coast Guard on Governor’s Island, New York, after 26 years of service, in 1993. He served in many capacities for the Goldmine Hill Board of Directors, including president. He was also president of his own consulting company.

Jay made friends of all ages and was well known for his kindness, generosity and keen sense of intellect. He was also a lifelong fan of baseball, football and basketball, and was a loyal fan of the San Francisco Giants, Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers and the Oregon Ducks.

Jay is survived by his wife, Cathy; one son, Brett Lorentzen (Starla) of Lake Tapps, Washington; two grandsons, Britton and Brandon Lorentzen; two sisters, Susan Oakman Bristow of Salem, Oregon, and Mickey Livermore (Terry) of Spokane, Washington; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends.

Jay’s ashes will be scattered in the San Francisco Bay. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Goldmine Hill Clubhouse, 43 Ora Way, San Francisco, California, on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 1 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you consider making donations to: Doctors Without Borders, United Negro College Fund, Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, California, or a charity of your choice.