Petty Officer First Class Lyric Marie Oakes was born on August 26, 1996, in St. Mary’s County,
Maryland, to Jason Tarr and Angela Potter (Oakes).
Lyric was raised in Calvert County, Maryland, where she attended local elementary schools and
graduated from Patuxent High School in Lusby, Maryland, in 2014. During her high school years, Lyric
took great pride in her involvement with JROTC. Over her four years, she earned numerous medals
and ranks while participating in Color Guard and orienteering, demonstrating early her discipline,
leadership, and commitment to excellence.
After graduation, Lyric attended Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, where she studied
Marine Biology. Following two years of study, she answered a higher call to serve and enlisted in the
United States Navy in 2016, where she faithfully and honorably served her country.
Lyric began her naval career at her duty station in Okinawa, Japan, working in a mine shop at
NMCPAC EAD. She spent three years there and adopted her first beloved cat, Hoshi and second cat
Honey. She was selected twice for the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) where she left
Okinawa as a Second Class. In 2020, she was deployed to Bahrain aboard the minesweeper USS
Gladiator (MCM-11). Over the next several years, her service took her across the globe, including
deployments and assignments in Germany, Afghanistan, South Korea, and Africa. She volunteered to
help refugees where she selflessly dedicated her remaining time at Bahrain to support and help the
families during a high threat situation.
Her most recent duty station was in Panama City, Florida, where she served as a subject matter expert
for all Mineman’s. Her knowledge and experience led her in getting advanced to Petty Officer First
Class (MN1). Among her many accomplishments, Lyric was recognized in July 2025 as Fleet Liaison.
Her operational and technical expertise contributed to major mine publications and numerous tactical
memorandums distributed fleet-wide. For her exceptional service, she was awarded the U.S. Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal and was selected as Sailor of the First Quarter 2025. The Navy
recognized her efforts as essential to mine-hunting operations aboard Avenger-class Mine
Countermeasure ships throughout the fleet.
Lyric deployed within the 5th Fleet Area of Operations, training sailors in Bahrain. She also served as a
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate and was a Combat Readiness Team
member for NSWC PCD. At the time of her passing, she was stationed in Little Creek, Virginia where
she was attached with EOD unit 2.
Beyond her distinguished military career, Lyric cherished her time at home, often found in comfy
clothes, enjoying life with her husband, John, and their four cats. She loved video games, music,
reading, and traveling — especially trips to Texas to visit her mother and younger brothers.
Lyric was extraordinarily gifted in music and could play the cello, piano, ukulele, and guitar. She
enjoyed playing tennis and was deeply committed to her community. She volunteered with Habitat for
Humanity, helped rescue and rehome stray cats, and participated in annual Veterans Day parades and
Earth Day community cleanups.
Lyric was deeply loved, and she loved fiercely in return. She cared for those in her life with remarkable
generosity, compassion, and strength.
She is survived by her devoted husband, John Holden, and stepdaughter, Evangeline (“Eva”) Holden;
her parents, Angela (Patrick) Potter of Uvalde, Texas, and Jason (Nika) Tarr of Hawaii; her siblings,
Brittany Oakes, Justice Benjamin (Maryland), Patrick Potter Jr. and Lucas Potter (Texas), and Nev and
Nathaniel Tarr (Hawaii); and her grandparents, Jerry and Michelle Clark of Lusby, Maryland; Lance and
Debbie Tarr of New Zealand; and Dale and Anne Boyal of Virginia.
She is also lovingly remembered by her aunts and uncles, Latoya Mason (James Barber) of Maryland,
Brad Clark-Piwowar (Patryk Piwowar) of Washington, Monica Tarr of Virginia; her cousins, Jordan
Hutchinson, Lance Corporal Sirus Armstrong, and Serenity Thompson; along with a host of extended
family members and dear friends.
Lyric was preceded in death by her grandfather, Ronnie Potter; her cousin, Joseph Oakes; and her
uncle, Donald Clark.
Petty Officer First Class Lyric Marie Oakes will be remembered for her bravery, intelligence, musical
talent, compassionate heart, and unwavering dedication to her family, her community, and her country.
Her legacy of service and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.