Sgt. Stephen Andrew Oates, 29, of Fernandina Beach passed away Friday, December 28, 2018 in Bradenton, Florida.

Born in Jacksonville he was the son of Stephen Oates and Terri Camarotti Johnson.

Andrew attended Yulee High School where he played football. After attending Yulee High School he graduated from Bethelem High School in Bonifay, Florida.

Andrew was a Specialist who served in the U. S. Army actively for eight years as part of the 4th Infantry Division located in Ft. Carson, Colorado and the 3rd Infantry Division located in Ft. Stewart, Georgia. He was a decorated veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan wars serving as a Communication Specialist.

Andrew joined the U. S. Army Reserves after his active enlistment and was a member of the Joint Communications Support Element located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida where they support deployed forces globally. He recently was promoted to Sergeant. He also was presently working at U. S. Special Operations Command as a contractor for Jacobs Engineering in their IT Department. He was also a student at St. Leo University.

Andrew was a quiet young man with a tremendous heart. He loved to hike and camp with his children. He also enjoyed spending time with family whenever he could. He will always be remembered for his smile. Even with his beard, that big smile was always there.

He leaves behind his wife, Jami and their children, Lilly and Gabriel Oates; his mother and step father, Terri and Jerry Johnson; his father, Stephen Oates; his brothers, Michael Oates and his wife, Amanda and Jordan Johnson; his sister, Sarah Johnson; his maternal grandparents, Reverend Frank and Diane Camarotti; his paternal grandmother, Francis Oates; an uncle, Frank Camarotti, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly; an aunt, Linda Patterson and her husband, Kevin, two nieces, Emily and Molly Oates, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 4, 2019 at 5 Points Baptist Church with his grandfather, Pastor Frank Camarotti, officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM.

He will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery with military honors.

Those desiring may make contributions in Andrew�s memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation, P. O. Box 368, Woodland Hills, California 91365