ALL Our very good friend and occasional contributor to this forum, Charles M."Mike" Oates passed away peacefully this morning.
Mike was 66. He had been battling a rare form of blood cancer for the last 15 months and was active up until just the last
few days. Mike was a modeler in 1:20.3 three foot narrow gauge, actively working on an indoor layout with handlaid
code 215 track using DCC operation. Most of the trackwork was done, scenery was in progress, and several highly detailed
structures had been completed. His other modeling interest was 1:32 scale standard gauge American and British prototypes,
focusing on live steam. He was also an avid railroad historian and supporter of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society,
serving on the Board of Directors. He authored articles for their magazine and assisted in their publications program.
Those of us who knew him well will miss him very much. Please consider remembering Mike through a contribution to the COHS. Send checks marked "In memory of Charles M. Oates"
to the society at the address below: Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society 312 E. Ridgeway St. Clifton Forge, VA 24422 Regards Jim Stapleton
Mike will be missed. Truly a class act and a real gentleman. He was a regular operator on my RR since 2008.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/oates/IMG_5284.JPG)
Mike’s memory will live on every time I look out on my RR.
I built the C.M.Oates Furniture factory and he helped design the signs for it.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/oates/IMG_9158.JPG)
Though Mike was a fine modeler, he asked me to build this car for him.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/thejoat/oates/19ce6_0a0a.JPG)
I’ll be reminded of him every time I operate.
It’s so sad to lose a friend.
I didn’t know Mike, but know the feeling of loss of a friend, and I offer my condolences to his friends and family. Sad; these days 66 is still pretty young.
Bruce: Your memorial, his image inside that factory - I like - it’s very cool.
Sorry to hear this. It is always tough.
The older we get, the more often things like this happen.
But it doesn’t get any easier.
Ralph
My condolences to his family and “friends”
Hey Bruce,
Did Mike attend at York or did I just know him through picture of your layout. He looks so famiar.
Always sad to hear of a passing.
Condolances from all of us here at The Bartwerks…
I did not know Mike, but it saddens me to hear that a fellow model railroader has passed on. I’m sure I would have liked Mike had I had the pleasure of meeting him. My condolences to his family.
Ric Golding said:
Hey Bruce,
Did Mike attend at York or did I just know him through picture of your layout. He looks so famiar.
Always sad to hear of a passing.
I was wondering the same thing Ric
Sad news. The name is familiar; probably from the forums. I don’t believe we ever met. I do remember the story of the furniture factory build Bruce posted here.
And yes, 66 is way too young.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
-Kevin.
Hmm…you MIGHT have seen Mike at York, but I don’t think I have any pictures of him there so I can’t be sure.
Man, what a great guy.
Never had the pleasure of meeting him, but my thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
Mike will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Well Bruce,
I’m guessing we all knew him from pictures of him operating at your layout. Thank you for sharing your friendship.
Mike occasionally attended the ECLSTS in York at the end of March and also the Cabin Fever Model Engineering Expo in January. He could be found at Mike Moore’s live steam track or the warrior Run Loco Works track. Mike was not a prolific poster on any of the sites.
Jim Stapleton
Jim Stapleton said:
Mike occasionally attended the ECLSTS in York at the end of March and also the Cabin Fever Model Engineering Expo in January. He could be found at Mike Moore’s live steam track or the warrior Run Loco Works track. Mike was not a prolific poster on any of the sites.
Jim Stapleton
Jim,
Then I did know him fom the ECLSTS. Yes, his smile was infectious and I thought I had been impacted by more than just pictures.
It is always sad to loose a friend. My condolences to his family and friends.