Who was Oakie?

 

Mayor Jim Ellison may have identified "Oakie"
Frank, if my sometimes feeble memory is correct, Oakie was the logo used by the old Oakland County Gas and Oil stations that Jake Levy owned back in the Fifties. I think his main station was on property now occupied by Fresard's Used Car Lot across from Royal Oak Music. Don't hold me to it, but it may be worth investigating. -- 03 Dec 2004 

 

Commissioner Mike Andrzejak adds to the Oakie dialogue
Although I am not quite as old as Mayor Ellison (laughing to self), I think he may be correct in the origin of "Oakie." Royal Oak businessman, and philanthropist, Jacob Levy was the owner of the Oak gas station, if memory serves me correctly.

Levy owned a home on Hendrie, near Fourth Street, and bequeathed the Royal Oak Library, among other organizations, at the time of his death, with a sizable memorial fund. Point in case, the current Library's Levy Memorial Fund.

 

Royal Oak historian Owen Perkins  has Oakie tie tack
Frank, I didn't want to be first. I wanted others to have the opportunity to respond to your "Oakie."

Oakie was the symbol for the Lawson's Sports Shop on the southwest corner of Main Street and Fifth Street. I have an Oakie tie tack. 

 

Later, Owen Perkins submitted the following information.

Some time ago you published responses to Who is "Oakie?" as it related to a sign the Royal Oak Historical Society has at its new Museum. Mayor Ellison and others expressed opinions as to the identity of "Oakie", giving the Oak Gas Station as the likely source. I eventually responded with "I didn't want to be the first, I wanted others to have the opportunity to respond to your 'Oakie'. Oakie was the symbol for the Lawson's Sports Shop on the southwest corner of Main Street and Fifth Street. I have an Oakie tie tac."

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