Bobby Kenneth Oates

Bob Oates July 10, 1945 – October 26, 2010 Bob Oates of Waco went home to be with his Lord early Tuesday morning, October 26, 2010, at a local hospital. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, October 29, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Ken Hall, Rev. David English, and Dr. Brian Dunks officiating. Friends and family are also invited to the graveside at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 28, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Bobby Kenneth Oates was born on July 10, 1945, in Amarillo. He was 65 years old at the time of his death. Bob graduated from Amarillo High in 1963 and Texas Tech University in 1968. He earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1978. He spent his past 29 years as a school business administrator, with his final three years in Waco near his grandkids. He and his wife of 38 years, Donna, were active members for 29 years at First Baptist Longview, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, directed Royal Ambassadors, and traveled to a Mexico orphanage yearly to do construction and minister to orphans. Upon moving to Waco, they joined Columbus Avenue, where he was a member of the Sibley Sunday School class. Although he was a Texas Tech Alumni, he dearly loved his Baylor Bears. He was an "alumni by choice" and attended football and basketball games regularly. He was the ultimate caretaker, always putting others' needs before his own. He lived to serve, whether he was washing his kids' cars, mowing others' lawns, or reaching out to the poor. Bob loved his family and grandkids more than anything. Bob had a heart for the lost, and regularly shared his faith with those around him. He is survived by his wife, Donna Rhodes Oates; daughter, Brittany Hooks and husband, Ryan; and son, Brandon Oates and wife, Elizabeth; and four grandchildren, Carter, Clarey, and Campbell Oates and Jackson Hooks. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Oates and wife, Micki, of Ropesville. Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church Longview Mexico Mission Trip, 209 E. South Street, Longview, TX 75601, or MD Anderson Cancer Center, Pancreatic Cancer Research, Attn: Dr. Gauri Varachachary at 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 426 in Houston, TX 77030. Donations can also be sent to Student Foundation Endowed Scholarship at Baylor University at One Bear Place 97050 Waco, TX 76798. "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.