Hugh F. Oates, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Cape Coral home surrounded by his family on December 16, 2023. Hugh was born November 20, 1949, in Mount Olive, North Carolina to Hugh F. Oates, Sr. and Doris Oates. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Chemistry and English. After graduating with his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, he worked for many years in the Office of the Chief Counsel for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and later built a successful career selling real estate in Washington, DC. Hugh used his legal and real estate expertise to invest in commercial real estate around the country, something he continued with his family after he retired to Cape Coral, Florida. Hugh was a songwriter and loved trout fishing, playing Texas hold ‘em, and traveling. He lived his life to the fullest and left nothing unchecked on his bucket list.

Hugh is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kate Withers Oates; his son, Scott Oates, and his wife, Vanessa, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; daughter, Katharine Oates, of Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren, Alex, Harris, Katelin, Victor, and Vivi; brother, Jerry Oates, and his wife, Cindy, of Wilmington, North Carolina; sister, Linda Clifton, and her husband, David, of New Bern, North Carolina; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cape Coral Fire Department Station 9 (4107 Pelican Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33914) or Hope Hospice (2430 Diplomat Pkwy E Cape Coral FL 33909) Above all else, please share a memory of Hugh with somebody special in your life. He loved a great story.