Mr. Duane Bouvier Oates, 55, of Shelby NC departed this life on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 in Shelby, NC. He was born on November 11, 1963 in Shelby to Ossie Parker Oates and the late Max Gardner Oates.

Bouvier was known for his kind heart and giving soul who would take the shirt off his own back to help someone else in need. He was gifted in so many fields of trade and was a great mechanic just like his father. Bouvier never met a stranger and had so many friends near and far. The love he had for his family was unconditional.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clifton Oates, Sr. and Elsie Raper Oates; his maternal grandparents, Francis Hosch Grier and Rev. Howard Grier and James Bruce Parker and a step-son, Tige Black.

Left to cherish fond memories are his mother, Ossie Parker Oates; two children and six step-children, O’Bryan Wilson (Kelsey) of Gastonia, NC, Victory Harbison of Florida, David Black, Sherry Petty (O’Bryan), Felicia Roseboro (Melvin), Michelle Cumberlander, Katrina Hopper-Beam (Charles) and Shahonia Hopper all of Shelby; five siblings, Marquis Oates (Cathy) of Charlotte, NC, Kevin Oates (Goldie), Vanchon Oates (Sandra) and Tracy Oates all of Shelby and Nikki Oates (Todd) of Bessemer City, NC; three grandchildren, Oriana Wilson, Aliyah Wilson and Jordan Wilson; special friend, Kimberly Parks and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 2:30 PM at Washington Missionary Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. Burial will take place at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 2:30 PM at the church and other times at the home of his mother, Ossie Oates, 1715 Stony Point Road Shelby NC.