Chris August 79 - July 24 

In August 79 I met Dave and was welcomed into the Oates clan, a grand institution, here 46 years later we are now the old retainers.

A couple of weeks in I met Chris dressed to the nines for a night out.
A vision in a  patterned shirt with big collar, bottle green oxford bags, 3 button high waisters and polished shoes. Going to pick Karen with his pride and joy metallic brown Capri, with the fur fabric roof.

We were complete opposites of each other but from that day we were pals.

He was a fast but safe driver, and always enjoyed engines owt mechanical. Good job really, Brian always had faith that Chris would be able to sort out
the Reliant van, then car, when it went wrong. Audrey used have to ring him
every time, he came as soon as possible to help.

Chris married Karen a while after a very proud Dad held a little dot from the other side of the glass at the prem baby unit. I can still see him.
Sharon grew into a sweetie, who loved baking with Nannan. 

Not long followed by a junior version of Chris, Andrew grew to love aeroplanes tools, ….

If you saw together Brian, Chris, Dave and Andrew their faces looked like they had been hewn from one piece of stone.

When the kids grew up Sharon met Paul and they had 2 children.
Callum, now 14 loves aeroplanes…. and Amber, 9 who is the image of Sharon and loves playing, never stop my love.

Andrew married Micheala and they very sensibly live with cats In Sheffield

Chris was so very proud of his kids and grandkids and was always telling us what they were doing at the moment.

Sharon is a number cruncher and I'm sure she is the go to girl at her job in a building firm in Wombwell - especially on pay day.

Andrew found his niche, he is a caretaker over 3 schools in Sheffield and is in his element, Grandad would be proud.

Chris grew up with pets, and when he met Pat they had a succession of dogs, his secret favourite was Ben a large Boxer.

He loved his Koi Carp at the bottom of the garden, they grew to quite a size.

He loved being at their caravan at York in a private site, as ever he made friends as always.

The lads followed in Dads footsteps to join Staincross Rifle and Pistol Club they made a team Precision Air Rifle shooting.
The chinwag round the table with a cuppa was a highlight of the evening.

Queen were a band both Chris and I loved when we were young, he still followed them.

My song which reminds me of Chris is from  ‘A night at the Opera’ album 1974  ‘I’m In Love With My Car’

You have watched Penny and Edgar grow up from scraps in Dec to nearly grown up cats. They loved you.
The end of the sofa will allas be empty on a Wednesday teatime from now on. 
 
Olwen x