9-23-39 – 7-6-26
Charles A. Oaks, 86, of Colorado Springs passed away on July 6, 2026, in Colorado Springs. A second generation native, he was born in Colorado Springs to Arthur and Alberta Oaks. He was raised in the Old North End and attended Steele, North Junior, and Colorado Springs High (Palmer) graduating in 1957. While in high school he worked for three summers as a tour guide at the Alexander Film Company. He was in the CSHS marching band playing the French horn.
He attended the University of Denver and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Business Administration. At DU he joined Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity and served through all the leadership chairs. He worked his way through college by working at a bank, Denver US National (now Wells Fargo) which started his 40-year career in banking. He was at that bank 1959-1983 when he moved to Woodland Park to be the Executive Vice President at Mountain National Bank (now Vectra). There he was able to work with his brother, Jim Oaks, for 15 years and retired when the bank sold to Vectra. He described those 15 years as the happiest years in his 40-year banking career.
He was married in October 1966 to Helgi Pungert, who pre-deceased him in August 2016 after 49 ¾ years of marriage. Charlie was very active in the Woodland Park community from 1984 to 2025 as a board member of several non-profit organizations and was honored in 2009 by receiving Woodland Park Chambers’ highest annual award, Wagon Boss of the Year.
After 42 years in Woodland Park, he transitioned to the assisted living community at Brookdale Skyline in Colorado Springs. He went to great lengths to express how happy he was there and what excellent care he received.
He is survived by his brother, James Oaks (Neaty) of Colorado Springs; nieces Angela Abernathy (Robert), Krista Wolf (Eric), Sharlyn Jordan (Kenyon), and Susan Amerman (John); nephew David Whigham (Jill); five grandnieces; and four grandnephews.
He was pre-deceased by his father Arthur Bus Oaks, his mother Alberta Oaks, his sister Catherine Whigham, and his wife Helgi Oaks.
Everyone who knew Charlie was blessed by his kindness, his sincere interest in them, and knew him as a true gentleman. He loved well, and he was well loved.
A celebration of Charlie’s exceptional life will be held on August 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Country Club, 3333 Templeton Gap Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Family and friends of Charlie are invited to attend.
Charlie was an amazing person and a wonderful friend. He will be missed. So many fond memories of times shared in Woodland Park. And I always appreciated his wisdom and advice: one in particular: “there’s a very fine line between want and need”! Enjoy your rest, dear friend! Anne and Gene Kozleski
and we are so sorry that we will miss your celebration but we have family commitments which we know you’ll understand.
Charlie was a wonderful man and an asset to this community and anyone who had the privilege to know him. He will be dearly missed. Our sincere condolences to his family.
I had the pleasure of meeting Charlie when my parents moved into Brookdale Skyline. In fact my Dad ate his first breakfast there with Charlie.
Charlie was a very pleasant and personable person. He always spoke when arriving and leaving the dining room.
Everyone was shocked at his passing and spoke very kindly of him. I can guarantee he will be greatly missed.
RIP Charlie
I had the pleasure of meeting Charlie and brother Jim at Mountain National Bank, the finest bank in the Rockies, run by two of the finest people you would ever want to meet, Charlie and Jim. Charlie was one of the finest gentleman you could ever meet. His strong hand shake, legendary! No one could clasp your hand any harder, but make you feel like you are family knowing your entire families names and a smile to warm the heart of even Dale Duncan. God Bless Charlie and may he and Helgi rest in eternal peace, we shall miss him dearly!