Stephen Oates

Reverend Stephen Eugene Oates Sr, 67, of Woodway, Texas went to be with the Lord at 10:55am on April 5, 2016.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 8 at Church of the Open Door in Waco, Texas. Interment will follow at Clifton Memorial Park, Clifton. A viewing will be held from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 7, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco.
Steve was born in Dallas, Texas to Stephen Walker Oates and Camilla Huddleston on February 17, 1949. He married Jo Ann Covey on September 7, 1968 at just 19 years old.
He served as a minister of the Pentecostal Church of God for 48 years. He also served as District Superintendent of the Minnesota Pentecostal Church of God, Superintendent of the Southwest Texas District, Home Missions Director and on the General Board of the Pentecostal Church of God. He was the Principal of New Life Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Steve planted, built and pastored many churches and touched countless lives. His last Pastorate was at Grace Family Church in Hewitt, Texas.
Steve is survived by his devoted wife JoAnn, his son Steve and wife Christy, his daughter Tracy and husband Derek, grandchildren whom he was so proud of, Hailey, Kaelyn, and Riley Cowan, Gabe and CeCe Oates, his sister Susie and husband Ray Kern, brother Bradley, and step- sisters Beverly and Carolyn. He was preceded in death by his father Stephen Walker Oates, mother Camilla Huddleston, and step-mother Esther Louise, brother Calvin and step-brother Junior.
Stephen was an inspiration to many people who will continue living better lives because of his teachings, dreaming, leadership and influence.