Zachary Benjamin Oates

Zachary Benjamin Oates, 44, of Nevada, formerly of Kent, unexpectedly left this world, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.  He was born in Ravenna on September 17, 1977 and was a 1996 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, where he was a member of the swim team.  Zach went on to earn his Associates Degree in Fire and Emergency Services Technology from Hocking College in 1998.  He also attended Advanced Training Institute in Las Vegas, NV, where he earned certification in HVAC repair in 2009.

Zach worked in Emergency Services at several places over the years including, Holiday Sands Swim Park in Ravenna, Cedar Point Emergency Services in Sandusky, Ravenna Township Fire Department, Kent City Fire Department where he was a water search rescue diver, American Medical Response, in Las Vegas, and Clark County Parks and Recreation. He also worked with LVCC Teamsters Convention set-up and the Washoe County School District in Reno, NV.

He was a lover of nature and enjoyed bicycling, dirt bike riding and hiking.  He also enjoyed reading non-fiction books, watching comedies and documentaries, especially on the Civil War and WW II.  Zach will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He would like to be remembered as a helper, giver, and cared for all equally.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph L. Oates; paternal grandparents, Michael and Fanny Oates; maternal grandparents, John and Nancy Mitchell and his significant other Heidi Peterson.

Zach leaves his mother Naida Mitchell Oates; brother Matthew (Jaclyn) Oates; nephew, Landon Oates, and niece, Mica Oates; seven aunts and uncles and five cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00PM at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240, with Kevin O’Brien officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 1:00-2:00PM on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/donating-to-nida.