Harold Donece Oates

Harold Donece Oates, 79, long-time resident of Shelby County now residing in Nacogdoches passed away Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Pat Windham, Bro. Don Noble, Bro. Jason Lott and Bro. Doc Lazarine officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park with the last call given by the Texas state game wardens. Visitation will be Tuesday, starting at 12 noon until service time at Mangum Funeral Home. He was born Jan. 17, 1936, in Shelby County to Steve W. Oates and Amanda Lavada (Gann) Oates. He worked for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as a game warden from 1965 to 1995. He was the instructor for the Game Warden Academy at Texas A&M University and he retired as a lieutenant commander and director of Inland Waterways and Fisheries. He was a member of the University Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. He is preceded in death by his parents, Steve W. and Amanda Lavada Oates. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pauline "Polly" Oates of Nacogdoches; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Susie Oates of Nacogdoches; daughter, Terrie Oates McAden of Rockwall; grandchildren, Rachel Oates Clark and husband, Cliff, of San Augustine, and Josh McAden and wife, Kayla, of Dallas’ great granddaughter, Callyn Clark of San Augustine; and brother, Daryl Oates and wife, Ann, of Humble. Pallbearers will be the Texas state game wardens. Honorary pallbearers will be John Doggett, Trever Doggett, James Harold Enmon, Walt Baty, Lamar Norton, Chad Norton, Clint Norton, Larry Hinton and Larry Enmon. Mangum Funeral Home.