Co-founder of Audio-Digest dies

Amber Willard

GLENDALE -- Claron L. Oakley, co-founder of a Glendale-based arm of

the California Medical Assn., has died.

Oakley, who died Tuesday of natural causes, helped create the

Audio-Digest Foundation in 1953 with Jerry Pettis. The nonprofit company

produces audio tapes for doctors and other health-care professionals to

continue their educations.

He was 76.

Oakley became known as the “voice of Audio-Digest” until his

retirement in 1996. For his work, Oakley received in 1982 the American

Medical Assn.’s citation for Distinguished Service. In 1994, he received

the California Medical Assn.’s award for Distinguished Service and the

Brigham Young University Emeritus Club’s Special Recognition Award.

Oakley was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Provo, Utah. He received his

bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern

University in Chicago after serving in the Army during World War II.

Oakley is survived by his children, Bradford Oakley, Ellen Skomro and

Sara Prested; brother, Terry Oakley; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services will start at 11 a.m. July 21 at the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pasadena at 770 Sierra Madre Villa.