Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Kenneth Bernard Oates, Sr. of Tampa, FL who passed away Friday, November 6, 2015 will be held Thursday, November 12th, 12:00 p.m. at Thonotosassa Seventh Day Adventist Church, 9525 Joe Ebert Road, Seffner, FL 33584, Pastor Charles, officiating. The interment will be in Florida National Cemetery. Kenneth Bernard Oates was born on July 15, 1961 in Columbus, Georgia. The son of two loving parents, Augustus R. Oates and Mary Katherine Oates was affectionately known as "Kent". Reared in a close knit, Christian family, Kent accepted the Lord as his Savior at a young age at Locust Hill Baptist Church in Midland, Georgia. Kent was an athletic child and played sports in high school. A 1979 graduate of Kendrick High School, Columbus, GA, Kent enlisted in the United States Air Force in October, 1979. His first assignment was at Seymour Johnson, AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina. While stationed there, he met the love of his life, his wife of 33 years, Kathryn Michele Oates. Along with his growing family, Kent enjoyed military assignments all across the continental United States. It was while stationed at the Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway that Kent began to pursue his love for sports once again, playing on an USAF traveling basketball team and discovered his real passion, golf. He became a very skilled golfer with a genuine love for watching the sport and teaching others how to perfect their game. Many of his friends and family can attest to being defeated on the golf course by Kent. He took pride in taking home the trophy for the Pinola Street reunion golf tournament. Kent's final military assignment was at MacDill AFB, Tampa Florida where he retired as Master Sergeant in 2001 with 22 distinguished years of service. Subsequent to his military retirement, he began a second career at Macy's (Federated Department stores) in Human Resources for many years. As part of a large extended family, Kent cherished time spent with his immediate family and his extended family. Always fun loving, he loved grilling during the holidays as he took pride in waking up in the early morning hours to start his fire just like his dad, Augustus. A beloved husband, father, son and brother, Kent will missed dearly by all.He leaves to cherish his memories three children; Ferrante Worrel (Pamela Worrell), Vonnetta Oates and Kenneth Bernard Oates, Jr. Three granchildren; Tot, Lilbit and Calamari. His mother, Mary Katherine Oates, two Sisters; Constance Taylor (Francis Taylor) and Vonnett Robinson (Marion Robinson) and two Brothers; Lewis Taylor and Vincent A. Oates (Shawn S. Oates). He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws and friends.