Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Harvey Oates

Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Harvey Oates, USMC (retired) died peacefully Sept. 22, 2015, in Post Falls, Idaho, at the age of 82.

Dick Oates is survived by Audrey Ruth Oates, his loving wife of 58 years; their children and spouses, Richard and Sally Oates, of Casper, Susan Fernau, of Spokane, Washington, Jennifer and Cole Kupec, of Huntsville, Alabama, Kathleen Doyle, of Houston, Texas, and Cameron Oates and Leslie Crane, of Sunnyvale, California. In addition, he leaves behind ten grandchildren and spouses, Brice, Kylie and Jeffrey Caraway, Alex and Gabriela Oates, Effie, Ainsley, Cole and Alison Kupec, Jarrett Kupec, Audrey Doyle, Wyatt and Carter Oates; and one great-granddaughter Nalu Caraway. Also, Bruce Kauffman, longtime special person to the Oates family.

Dick Oates was born Dec. 1, 1932, in Deadwood, South Dakota. He graduated from Lusk High School. He attended the University of Wyoming, then graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1957 with a commission as a United States Marine. His children remember him as a Marine with a great sense of loyalty to family and country and a father who encouraged them and supported them to pursue their goals and dreams.

Dick Oates was an accomplished leader and was able to bring out the best in people. He often donated his time to helping others as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Sigma Nu fraternity. He was a generous and dedicated individual who loved his family and was passionate about ensuring his children added value to the world. He ensured each of his children had a strong sense of faith and a strong set of values of doing the right thing, not always the easy thing. He was a patriot, a traveler, a man concerned about our country now and for future generations. He was a person you always knew as honest and admirable in all dealings. He was a lifelong Catholic and a dedicated member of Saint George's Catholic Church.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dick's life. Father Timothy Ritchey will officiate mass at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, 400 Country Club Rd., Casper, WY 82609. Following Mass is an official honorable military burial will take place around 11:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 80 Veterans Rd., Evansville, WY 82636, where Dick will be laid to rest.

Based on Dick's wishes in lieu of flowers, please send donations to North Idaho Catholic Youth Camp at P.O. Box 3582, Post Falls, ID 83877.

Condolences can be left at www.englishfuneralchapel.com or mailed to Dr. Audrey Oates, 4340 E. Inverness Drive, Post Falls, ID 83854.

The family would like to thank the community for their support and especially the members of Saint George's Catholic Church, the local DAV, MOAA, and Knights of Columbus for their special care and support.

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