Pastor John A. Oatis, 75, passed away at WFH-All Saints on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

He was born in Prentiss, MS on October 2, 1936 to the late R.T. Jackson and Rose Bell Oatis.  Pastor Oatis attended Royal High School in Hattiesburg, MS.  He then served his nation as a combat engineer while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army from 1955-58.  Pastor Oatis moved to Racine in 1963 and married the former Annie L. Crawther in 1969.

In addition to serving as a pastor, he worked for Belle City and Racine Steel Casting as a machine operator until a disability forced a retirement.  He served as a pastor for Holy Jerusalem COGIC and was a former member of Greater Grace Temple.  He also served as a superintendent for various churches, as well as Sunday school superintendent, counselor and other different positions.  Pastor Oatis was a blessed man whom enjoyed serving his Lord, his family and his fellow man.

He is survived by his loving wife, Annie L. Oatis; his daughters and sons, Rita (Sam) Hargrove, Gebrail Wainwright all of Racine, Milton Oatis of Green Bay, John Oatis, Jr. of Milwaukee and Demario Oatis of Racine; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and a host of close relatives and friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Cora Lee Oatis, brother, Lee T. Oatis and special uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Bourns.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. for the celebration of Pastor Oatis' life and Homegoing with Bishop John C. Williams.  Military Honors will follow.  There will be a visitation in the funeral home on Friday from 10-11 a.m.  A private interment will take place in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The Oatis family would like to thank all of Pastor's caregivers for the loving and professional attention extended to him during his stay at WFH- All Saints.