Thomas Oates

Tom was born February 24, 1942, in Bellevue, Kentucky to Thomas S. Oates Sr., a stationary engineer at a book manufacturing company, and Cora Mae Oates. He attended Bellevue and graduated June 1960. After high school, Tom sold and delivered water for the Talawanda Springs Company until he was laid off in 1965. He then drove and sold for Acme Uniform and Linen until 1966. He then sold and delivered Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for Snodgrass Distributing. On April 23, 1966 he married Marlene Roa. Tom joined the Cincinnati Police Division on September 15, 1968 as a Police Recruit. He was promoted to Patrolman on December 22, 1968 and assigned to District 6 (Erie Avenue). Almost 7 years later, on August 17, 1976, he requested a transfer to District 3 (Warsaw Avenue) and stayed there for the next 20 years. Police Officer Oates retired on August 12, 1995 with almost 27 years of service and 33 letters of appreciation and/or commendation; including two from the Police Chief and one from the Fire Chief. Officer Oates was assisting in the decorations in preparation for his son’s wedding, scheduled for October 15, when he suffered a fatal heart attack on October 14, 2016 at the age of 74. Tom leaves his beloved wife of 50 years, Marlene, and his loving family Michelle (Jason) Howard, Jeff (Jamie) Oates and 2 grandchildren Corey and Kara Howard. Tom is survived by his sisters Shirley (Bob), Susan (Mike) and Sharon (Nick). Visitation is Saturday, October 22 beginning at 9:00am (rosary will be recited) until 12:00pm at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home, 25615 State Rd#1 Guilford, Indiana 47022. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00pm at Holy Guardian Angel Church 405 US Highway 52, Cedar Grove, Indiana. 47016. Memorials to Guardian Angel Preservation Organization or Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society.