Edwin Oats

Family to receive friends: from noon to 2:00 p.m. today, June 23rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.

A wake: will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 24th. t Jim Darcy Elementary School on Lincoln Road West

Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 25th at Jim Darcy School.

Burial: with military honors will be at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison.

Edwin D. Sonny Oats, whose Indian name was Bald Eagle, passed away unexpectedly on June 20, 2010. Sonny was born on December 24, 1970, in Great Falls, MT. He was the only son of Karen and Eddy Oats.

Sonny grew up in the Helena area and graduated from Capital High School in 1989. Immediately following High School Sonny enlisted in the United States Navy. He served honorably for four years from 1989 to 1993 as an Engineman and Master Diver. His Seal Team was one of the first to arrive in Operation Desert Storm. While serving in the Navy he traveled to various parts of the world to include San Diego, Abu Dhabi, Jakarta, Bali, United Arab Emirates and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Of all his travels, he said that if he could go back to any place in the world it would be Singapore. From a young age, Sonny was extremely mechanically inclined, a trait that he inherited from his father. If it was broke, Sonny could fix it, anything with or without wheels. He worked various jobs painting, roofing, landscaping, cooking hams, cleaning and most recently working for LRL Construction on the Mullen Pass Tunnel. No job was too big or too small.

Family was the most important part of Sonnys life. Countless hours were spent working side by side with his father on projects to numerous to mention. Sonny embraced having four sisters and enjoyed entertaining, watching over, and spending time with all of them. Being an Uncle was very important to Sonny and was a role he took to heart. Sonny had a quick wit and a sense of humor that made him one of a kind. The lights of Sonnys life were his daughters Hannah age 9, and Mariah age 8. He loved spending time with them and enjoyed camping, fishing, taking them to the lake or just being outdoors. He adored and cherished his daughters and truly loved them with all his heart.

He is survived by his parents Eddy and Karen Oats of Helena, his daughters Hannah and Mariah of Helena, Sisters Fawn (John) St James, Edwina Winnie(Tony) Strainer, Stacey (Clayton) Scotson all of Helena, Maureen (Mike) Schmidt, Grand Junction, Co. Nephews Brayden and Austin Oats, Logan Strainer, Lawson Walkenhorst all of Helena, Nieces, Lily Oats of Helena and Keely Schmidt of Grand Junction, CO. Aunts Millie (David) Lester, Centennial, Co, Gloria (Adam) Ortiz, Los Angeles, CA, Dena Anderson, Los Angeles, CA, Leona (Bob) Swan, Rocky Boy, MT, Uncles: Reed (Eva) Anderson, St Ignatius, MT, John Oats, Rocky Boy, MT, Joe (Flora) Follette, Helena, MT, Grandpa Henry(Betsy) Anderson, Helena, MT, numerous aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas and cousins in Rocky Boy and Fort Peck, MT and special friend Kate Bennett , of Helena.

Sonny did not have a favorite charity so we ask that to honor his memory, go out of your way to help others, stay true to your family and friends, and above all absolutely cherish your children.

Sonnys family would like to say special thank yous to bystanders who assisted in the rescue efforts, emergency response personnel, law enforcement, Mickey Nelson, and St. Peters Hospital Emergency Room Staff, Wingate by Windam, Brian Cummings and Jim Darcy School.