Oran Oscar Oates

Oran O. Oates, Sr., age 92, of Perry, Arkansas, passed away May 21, 2013. He was born July 5, 1920 in Perry, Arkansas, and was the third of five children born to O.O. Oates & Edna Oates. He attended school at Perry. After graduating he attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now The University of Central Arkansas) in Conway, Arkansas. After finishing his business classes at ASTC he joined the U.S. Navy in 1940. He served on the U.S.S. Warrington Destroyer, patrolling the Panama Canal & the east & west Coast of South America, on watch for the German Submarines. In August 1941 his ship was sent to England on a secret mission to escort the Prime Minister Winston Churchill aboard the HMS York to a secret meeting with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. There were 6 ships escorting the HMS York. After sailing through a North Atlantic hurricane, Oran's ship was the only one that stayed with the HMS York. Oran was the driver of the ship & was strapped to the ships wheel in order to drive the ship. Following this historic mission they continued their submarine patrol until December 1941 & were given shore leave at Charleston, South Carolina. On the morning of December 8, 1941 Oran's ship the U.S.S. Warrington was ordered to Pearl Harbor to join the Pacific fleet. They went through the Panama Canal where they proceeded to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. From there they sailed to the Coral Sea where the United States first engaged the Japanese in battle. From the Coral Sea his ship was ordered to the Solomon Islands to put the first U.S. soldiers on Islands of Guadacanal, Tuligi & Bouginville. Oran spent two years in the Solomon Islands, there they began the pursuit of the Japanese off of New Briton that lasted two years in 1944 the Battle of Kavieng. In 1945, Oran was transferred to a hospital ship and was taken to New Caladonia. After recovering he was given orders to help guard Japanese prisoners on the Island. In March 1945, Oran was transferred to New Orleans and was honorably discharged with service connected medical problems. Oran earned four Battle Stars during his Navy Service. Oran returned home to Perry, Arkansas & joined in the General Mercantile & Grocery business with his father. He remained in business until he became a Rural Letter Carrier for the U.S. Postal System. He was very active in the Rural Postal Carrier Association holding various offices & in 1978 he was named Rural Carrier of the Year. Oran was named to Who's Who in America on four occasions. Oran is survived by his wife Lillian Middleton Oates of Perry, son Oran O. Oates Jr. of Perry & a daughter Mary Lee Oates of Morrilton, a sister Evelyn Wolf of St. Louis, MO., a granddaughter Leslie Oates Demers of Springdale, AR., her husband Bob Demers & his two Great Grandchildren Madison & Morrison Demers. Oran was preceded in death by his first wife Frances Taylor Oates, brother's Raymond "Bill" Oates, Owen "Dan" Oates & one sister Eva Dale "Tip" Linebarger. Oran O. Oates was a decorated World War II Veteran, a good business man, a great father, a wonderful grandfather & great grandfather. Oran was a 52nd Degree Mason & a Shriners of the Scimitar Temple. Oran's wish was to be cremated & the ashes interned at Perry Cemetery. There will be a graveside service only on May 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Frank LeBlanc officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Morrilton, AR., or to any Shriners hospital for children, or the Arkansas Children's Hospital. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.

Oran Oscar Oates

July 5, 1920 - May 21, 2013