A member of one of Sevier County’s pioneer families has died.
Fred Martin Oakley, 93, passed away on May 5, 2024, following a vehicular accident on April 26.
Fred was the son of apple farmer Arthur John Oakley (1897-1971) and Blanche McCarter Oakley (1900-1982). The third of six children, he lived in what is now the Great Smoky Mountain National Park until age 8. His obituary is chock full of history of his family and his homeplace.
His family later built and owned the 104-unit LeConte View Motor Lodge in Gatlinburg and Fred served as president from 1983-2017. In the early days, the Oakleys charged $2 per night for a cabin.
Mr. Oakley’s family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. today (5/10/24) at Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville. Burial is on Saturday.