Robert A. Oates

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Robert Avery Oates, peacefully exited this life on Saturday, August 22, 2020 surrounded by his daughters who were his angel caretakers, his sons and grandchildren. He will be remembered for continuing the spiritual legacy of his eternal companion who died thirteen years ago. He taught by word and deed to honor one’s name, to never quit if you join a team, to show respect to your fellowman, and to honor the Priesthood of God. He was a participative father and grandfather attending many sporting events and activities of his posterity of 85. He will be remembered for his teasing sense of humor, love for sports and the outdoors, genuineness, and for gathering his family and friends through reunions, special trips, vacations, and hunting trips. He was legendary for his abilities to barbeque, both western and southern style; often being invited to cook for large gatherings. He had a special place in his heart for the poor, widows, and fatherless.

Robert Avery (Bob) Oates, born March 20, 1930, was the eldest of three children born to Avery and May Skousen Oates. He is preceded in death by his benevolent mother, father, and brother, Donald Reed Oates. He is survived by his darling sister, Barbara May Oates Wilhelm Freeman.

Bob was raised by his mother. He often spoke of the profound influence his uncles had in his life. He joined the National Guard as a Junior in High School for the needed income after his mother granted permission. He was later “frozen in the Guard” unable to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, he was able to serve as a Stake Missionary to the Papago Indian Reservation in Arizona while holding a full-time job.

Bob Oates was an exceptional athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, football, and track. He and a close-knit group of friends from the Mesa Tenth Ward made annual excursions to the All-Church tournaments held in Salt Lake City, Utah for both fast pitch softball and basketball. One of his highlights was receiving the All-Church MVP award in both basketball and softball in 1958.

The most defining moment in Bob’s life was marrying the girl of his dreams, Kathe Moneta Oates, whom he first met at the Mezona Dance Hall in Mesa, AZ. They were sealed in the Mesa, AZ temple on June 5, 1952 and for nine years they lived comfortably amidst family and friends with his new farming business inspecting cotton fields.

In 1959, with four young children, Bob and Moneta moved to Americus, Georgia to work for the Deseret Cattle Ranch. Bob hesitated to take the job, but after much fasting and many prayers, Moneta told Bob that she felt that they should accept the offer. The family settled in Albany, Georgia for the next twenty years raising their family of six children, Brad and (Karen) Oates, Dallas, TX; Melissa and (Byran) Jolley, Bakersfield, CA; Barry and (Karen) Oates serving a church mission in Jamaica; Bart and (Michelle) Oates, Morristown, NJ; Melinda, aka Mindy, and (Steve) Sumsion, Springville, UT; and Michelle, aka Shelly, and (Greg) Lott, Orem, Utah. Family life was centered around sporting activities while Bob and Moneta served faithfully in many church callings and held many community responsibilities. For family vacations, Bob would pack the station wagon with all eight family members and drive west to visit family and friends while visiting US and Church historic sites along the way.

Bob and Moneta Oates made one more cross-country move to Utah in 1979 to be close to three of their six children attending Brigham Young University and other family members. They lived in Spanish Fork, Utah, Provo, Utah, Springville, Utah, and lastly Salem, Utah developing close friends in each of these communities and wards where they served.

Bob and Moneta finally realized their dream of being able to serve an 18-month senior couple mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Georgia, Macon Mission 1997-1998 and were able to reconnect with many of their close friends in the Albany, Georgia area.

Bob and Moneta Oates are survived by 6 children, 32 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren. Bob died with an abiding faith in Jesus Christ and lived an enchanted life that he shared with family and friends. Due to COVID19 pandemic, a small viewing was held on Tuesday, August 25th at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary and an “Oates-style” graveside celebration is being held on Wednesday, Aug 26th at the Provo Cemetery at 9am which can be viewed at http://secure-web.cisco.com/1L76gIfKbY0tBc3aEa56C9Zz6TYQE7Oqeu2K945W1YFuY7ycNxASBVKjvUpuiwtum5x29JCfnmmnZ1y_DdZzzybagXrIKUwbRMLhaDh9cnxYjEjpCpLyu6dTzRHVUL9sfhjmddMS_rJ8hKIiHUrHOL78EhjekcCX5AklsjeFf-3vKLPgHno0EFLewhgLEIgKmpYqf94zZOw2dqpDedEEYysekjiDzHhdZTvlqV8NJB54Abic7hZOAqcc54KdJ6KEU7K1xEuLBCKv32dK9V-9U1rWSDc1RDySBxXqIcjTULh6-PLe1poTSTEGppL9Ah4qcpVri17nF6q6lPEnCCeVTDiCroIyDbr3VtMS7d63jwBE-T9Tinkf8z5p4uPHIQOdGNAUgMtf05M3K5NiVzXf0GQ/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwasatchlawnmemorial.

Mindy Sumsion

Take Shape for Life

Certified Health Coach

Villanova School of Nursing

(801) 787-1512

sumsion.ichooseoptimalhealth.com