John Wayne Oates, 75, of Waco, passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at a local nursing home. A memorial service will be 11 am Thursday, July 3 at Bellmead Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Merry Wilburn officiating. Visitation with the family will be 10 am prior to the service. John was born September 1, 1938 in Old Union, Texas. He married Patricia Ann Hardwick in Groesbeck, Texas in 1960. John was an excellent mechanic and he and Patricia owned and operated Oates Equipment Service for many years. John was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife. Survivors include his son, Victor Dean Oates of Waco; his brother, Kenneth Oates and wife, Charlotte of Groesbeck; and granddaughter, Ashley Lynn Oates of Waco.