James Thomas Oates, also known as the Taxman, was born on Dec. 11, 1937 at his maternal grandparent's home on St. Stephens Road in Whistler, Alabama. He was born on his maternal grandmother's birthday.
Jim was the only child born to Pat Oates and Daisy Lee Burgess Oates. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores Cangemi Oates; and his parents.
Jim graduated from St. Joseph Grammar School in 1952. Tuition was $3 per month. He attended McGill Institute and graduated in 1956. Tuition was $100 per year. He was president of his senior class of 130 students, all male. He went on to attend Spring Hill College, graduating in 1960 with a degree in business. Tuition was $400 per semester for a day student.
Jim was commissioned second lieutenant, U.S. Army, quartermaster, serving at Fort Lee, Virginia.
At Spring Hill College, he was captain of "D" Company. He was a distinguished military student, and a member of Scabbard and Blade, an honorary military society.
Jim worked during high school selling advertising for newspaper space. In college, he worked as a film editor for a local television station.
He served and worked in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant public information officer at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Jim worked for International Paper Company, Mobile, Alabama, in accounts payable, use tax and cash forecasts for a total of 22 years.
He opened Oates Realty in Daphne. For 27 years, his primary client was International Paper Realty. He dealt with land sales in Alabama, primarily in Baldwin County.
He was a developer of business parks in Baldwin County.
He had real estate interests on Ono Island, Fish River and Daphne.
Oates Income Tax Service opened in Daphne and operated for 35 years, serving 50 states and Canada.
Jim served on the city of Daphne Planning Commission for 22 years, ten of those years serving as chairman.
He served on the Baldwin County Board of Equalization for eight years, four of those years serving as chairman.
Jim enjoyed growing camellias, amaryllis, Christmas cacti, persimmons and other plants. He served as president of the Camellia Club of Mobile, president of the Gulf Coast Camellia Society and director of the American Camellia Society.
He was a life member of the Friends of Spring Hill College Library. He was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Ryan Council, Daphne.
He was a member of Christ the King Parish and a member of Guardian Angel of St. Michael Catholic High School.
Jim's estate goes to education (Pay back time) -Saint Michael Catholic High School.
Memorial mass will be held Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. from Christ the King Catholic Church, Daphne.
Friends will be received one hour prior to service.
Graveside service with interment will be held Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at 12 p.m. in Mobile Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 27409 U.S. Hwy. 98, Daphne, Alabama 36526, 251-625-2900, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
