Thomas Mckee "Coach" Oates

Thomas McKee "Coach" Oates, 81, a native of York County died Saturday, October 2, 2004 at Due West Retirement Home in Due West, SC. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eula Young Oates, three children, Lisa Oates Todd of Fayetteville, TN, Jackie Oates Thompson of Greenville, S.C., Dr. T. Mac Oates, Jr. of Danville, VA, nine grandchildren, Robert Thompson, Caroline Lowder, Jake Thompson, Rachel Hudson, Samuel Todd, John Oates, Anna Oates, William Oates, and Elisabeth Oates, four great-grandchildren, McCuen Thompson, Robert Thompson, Jay Lowder, and Todd Hudson, one sister, Margaret Somerville, and one brother Dusty Oates. Coach Oates was a three-sport letterman at Erskine College and served in the U.S. Army teaching young soldiers to read. He coached at York High School from 1946 to 1958 and at Rock Hill High School form 1958 to 1971. He retired in 1986 after 42 years in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. During his career he was blessed with many honors in accordance with his coaching success. He was a member of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Associationa?(TM)s Hall of Fame, the York County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Erskine College Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Oates was a man of strong faith and a committed churchman. He served as an elder in the York Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and as an elder in the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill for over forty years. He is remembered by his family and friends as a devoted family man, one who humbly worked to bring out the best in others with kindness and generosity. Graveside Services will be 4:00PM Monday, October 4, 2004 in the Due West A.R.P. Church Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be 11:00AM Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Erskine College for athletic scholarships or to the Mission Fund of the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rock Hill, S.C. Online condolences may be sent to the Oates family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Oates family.