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Kenneth Merle Oates

Kenneth Merle Oates, of Groesbeck, passed away at Limestone Medical Center on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at age 77.

A Memorial Service celebrating Kenneth’s life was Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Victory Baptist Church in Groesbeck, with Pastor Ben David Watson officiating. His daughter Shannon, and various friends, including Danny Hewitt, Jessie Jackson, Chris Henson, Carol Lummus and others told of their memories with Merle.

Honorary pallbearers were Bill Galyean, Joe Gonzalez, Chris Henson, Danny Hewitt, Jessie Jackson, Kelly Kilpatrick and Gene Robinett.

Kenneth Merle was born August 29, 1941 in Merkle, Texas to William John Oates and Mary Vernon (Lummus) Oates. He grew up in Groesbeck and graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1959. Groesbeck friends as well as family knew him as “Merle.” He served in the U. S. Navy from 1963 through 1967.

Kenneth Merle was united in marriage with Charlotte Jean Jenkins on January 12, 1971 in Mexia. They made their home in Groesbeck. Merle was a smart man of many talents.

He had a career for many years in the repair of business machines, and also sold life insurance. When he retired from that he opened “Oates Firearms and Sporting Goods” store in Groesbeck; and when he closed it he worked as a jailer for the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department. Merle was a member of the Victory Baptist Church of Groesbeck.

Kenneth Merle was preceded in death by his parents, William and Vernon Oates; son, Travis William Oates; granddaughter, Michayla Nicole Jackson; brother, Gerald Oates; and brother, John Wayne Oates.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Jean Oates of Groesbeck; daughter, Sandy Lundenberg of Groesbeck; daughter and sonin-law, Shannon and Shawn Weishuhn of Rowlett; three granddaughters and grandsonin-law Rachel and Daryl Elmore of Groesbeck, Stacy and Clint Peery of Groesbeck, and Carley and Caleb Fraley of Rowlett; and five great grandchildren.

Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

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Groesbeck Journal

P.O. Box 440
Groesbeck, TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-5103
Fax: 254-729-0362