October 14, 1975 – February 8, 2026

Michael Wayne Oates was born October 14, 1975, in Jasper, Texas and passed away February 8, 2026, at the age of 50. He could be described as a giant man because he stood 6 feet seven inches, but he was also a giant teddy bear with a big smile. Michael loved everybody, never met a stranger, and loved to talk. Watching sports was his favorite hobby – especially basketball, baseball, and wrestling. His dog, B. D., and his aunt’s dog, Flash, were important to him. Most of all, he loved his mama, and she will greatly miss her amazing son.

Michael was preceded in death by his fathers, Warren David Oates and Mack Clark; grandparents, Virginia Wilkerson Richards, Allen Richards, Myrtle Louise Oates, and Warren Durwood Oates; and cousin, Jennifer Sanchez.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Mary Lou Clark; aunts, Ruby Martinez Rodriguez and husband Ellis, Patsy Self and husband Tony, Brenda Wall, Katherine Gilbert and husband Darrell, and Rita Rye; and cousins, Christina Oates, James Sparkman, Keisha Lago, Clint Gilbert, Nathan Gilbert, Richard Wall, and Rachel Mitchell.