Gordon “Skip” Carson Oatman, age 78, is fully retired now, after exhaling his final breath on Earth Thursday, March 23rd, 2023.
As Skip would say of the departed… “he cashed in his ticket, climbed on the shuttle and went”, with his daughter present at his home in Alto, MI exactly where he would want to be.
Survived by two adult children with ex-wife, Sharon Ann Minehart (Garrison); son, Michael Andrew Oatman; and daughter, P. Leigha Oatman.
Born July 28th, 1944 to Gordy Robertson and Peggy (O’Banion) near Detroit area and raised by guardians Myron G & Lucille E Oatman in Cascade, Michigan. They all preceded him in death. Including his older brother, Private 1st Class Richard M Oatman, who died at age 20, when Skip was 12 years old. His Dad, Myron passed three years later and he took over M G Oatman’s Brick & Block Masonry business. Changing his last name to Oatman when he legally could get his driver’s license.
In 1962, Skip made concrete the focus of his operations, continuing to honor Myron’s Masonry legacy, by establishing Oatman Cement; in the same year, he graduated from Forest Hills Central High School. Late last year, happily able to attend the 60th HS Class reunion, where he had a really good time catching up & sharing stories with his remaining classmates.
Making countless friends in his 60+ years of pouring cement and plowing snow for commercial and residential customers. It allowed him to hire and train many, travel all over Michigan for work, and build several dozen in & out of state courses for Putt Putt Golf & Game with his beloved BobCat and skilled crew. He enjoyed working hard and keeping busy.
In the early 1990’s, Skip was thrilled to be reconnected with Ronnagail, one of two full blood sisters. Learning from his half-sister Linda, that found him with a phone call, he had two other half-brothers, as well. He had more family than he knew what to do with. They had many nice conversations, visits, and several events together over the years since. He was the last surviving sibling.
Skip will be respectfully remembered for his work ethics, funny sayings, always helping friends, showing up with a hat on, dark sunglasses & lip full of Skoal, best BobCat operator, getting the job finished and being demanding when he needed something done.
Cutting wood, campfires, mowing grass, sharing his garden goodies, feeding & watching birds, boating, fishing, grilling, tinkering in his three stall garage, ‘making the rounds’ by visiting friends and local watering holes for “just one” rum & coke were his favorite ways of relaxing.
We can’t miss someone who is in our heart forever… so look inward, find him there, talk with him, feel his nearby presence guiding & watching over us. Be comforted in knowing he loved deeply, even when he didn’t say or show it.
Until We Meet Again, BLESSINGS ~ Skip Oatman ~ YOU ARE LOVED & appreciated!!
A Celebration of Life & 79th Birthday Pig Roost Gathering will occur on Friday, July 28th, 2023 from 3 – 8pm. Location: TBA
Arrive ready to share favorite Oatman’ism / saying, fun stories and/or best memories.
Social Hours to Honor Skip
Sunday, April 30th, 2023
12:30 – 3:30pm
@ Caledonia American Legion
9548 Cherry Valley Ave SE
Caledonia, MI 49316
29 Responses
Our thoughts and prayers are with y’all ❤ Sending a big virtual hug.
My Sweet sister Gwen Dowling and Skippy happy times for the past several years. Doing fun and sometimes silly things, just for the fun of it. My husband Ron and myself had so many good times with him and my sweet sister.
He will truly be missed by soo many people. I pray for my sister
and his family. He was truly a good man! He will be missed by all who new him.
Skiparoo~ love and miss you so much already. So many wonderful memories with you and Leigha over the past 15 years:) You were such a joy to be around, love how you always made me smile and laugh. Sending love to your family and friends. XOXO
RIP Skip! You were a cool duder!
My dear friend Leigha. My heart reaches out to you and your family at this moment. Over the last few years, I have witnessed you, a loving daughter, give time, energy and soul to her treasured father. As everything you commit to , your passion for your father’s health was omnipresent, we had many long talks about health concerns. You spoke often of your dad’s strong will and strength. I did not know him ,but it seems that Skip’s strength and resilience abide in you as well. Wishing peace and comfort to you and the entire Oatman family.
I got to know Skip over the past couple of years. I used to help him split wood and do some yard cleanup. Afterwards, we’d go to the Alto Bar for a Rum & Coke and a bowl of chili. He’d always take a different route to the bar and regale me with the work he had done for just about every family we drove past. He was full of great stories and history. I will think of him every time I drive through Alto.
He will be greatly missed by myself and the community.
So sorry for your loss you will be in my thoughts and prayers
I am so sorry for your loss Leigha, your father left a beautiful legacy in you. You and your family are in my family’s thoughts and prayers.
Although i did not know Skip, I am eternally grateful to him for Leigha. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
We wish that Skip’s journey will be one of peace.
We were always thrilled to get a “Skip Tip” when he would stop in.
Here’s to “a rum and Coke, little ice”
We will miss you.
The staff and friends at the Alto Bar
When I heard Mr. Oatman (he hated me calling him that lol) had passed it really made myself and my store sad.
I first met Skip when he was yelling (he said talking loudly) at one of my employees in T-Mobile. He was all fired up over his phone not working. This starting a long journey to Skip angrily visiting us what seemed like daily to tell us he was upset.
It didn’t take long to get to know him though. We shared stories and laughed, he even offered to buy my employees a drink a few times.
Wish I would have taken him up on it. Mr. Oatman, you will be missed by many, rest now you earned it.
Although I did not know your dad, I am thankful to have gotten to know you, Leigha. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
You were exactly where God needed you to be.
The memorable road trips we took
Stopping by nearly every water hole
we could find…
My longest hair client
34years I cut Skip’s hair
Oooohhh , only if the walls could talk!!!
I’ll carry on every trait you taught me
Skip was a life long friend of my father and myself. helped our family after my fathers death with snow plowing and help around the farm. always enjoyed talking and listening to him.
he will be missed.
Leigha, I am sorry for your loss. I’m so happy that I ran into the two of you at the Hawk. Little did I know that it would be my last time seeing Skip. I was getting ready to give Skip a shout about having him auger some holes for a new deck. It was always so much fun doing projects with him. I will miss him dearly.
I am so sorry for your loss. Gone but never forgotten, he has his Angel Wings flying high over all giving the blessings of a wholehearted guardian, learn to feel his presence when you least expect it, listen to his whispers in the wind and mostly be blessed for he has filled your heart forever. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your and your family.
I’ve known Skip sense I was a kid. He will be missed around the cabin here in White Cloud. So sorry for your loose Leigha.
One of a kind, and someone you’d never forget!
Skip and Sharon invited our family, with three kids,to spend the day on his speed boat on the Muskegon river. Gave our kids the opportunity to ride a tube and water ski.
We would have had 9 people on the boat. Go stopped by the sheriffs boat patrol. They asked Skip if he had a life jacket for everyone on board. He had so much fun burying his head in a storage area of some sort, and throwing out 9 life jackets ,with a huge smile on this face.
Skipper, I’m Lost for Words,You will be Missed,see you on the other Side,Rest in Peace my Old Friend, Thanks for all the Good Times,Cheers,Your Freand Dave And Joey, P,S,Get To Work!!!!????
I enjoyed keeping Skip’
s trucks on the road during my life as a mechanic at O’Neil’s transmission seems like he would tear up his Ford diesel once a year.
Leigha. I’m so sad. Your father was a fun and fiesty man. He introduced us so many years ago. Call anytime. Love you
Leigha my dear friend, I just saw this and I am thinking about you deeply in my heart! I know how much you loved you daddy! Fly high with the angels skip and always look down and keep our best friend safe!!????????????????
Sorry to see that Skip passed. I went to high school and graduated with him. Carl Lock
Skip was a good friend and we’ve enjoyed talking with him over the years. God be with him and may he rest in peace. Jim and Jan
My best remembrance of Skip is of him teaching me to ski on the Thornapple River. After I learned to ski Skip tried to teach me how to ski barefoot. Crash, crash, crash! Then Skip said “Pull me and I will show you how to barefoot ski.” I pulled him ten miles up the river barefoot. Skip was tough.
I also remember Skip’s hotrod Buick. He won all the races he was in. He had connections to get aviation fuel and he ran it in his Buick. Skip and I were members of the Cascade Road Angels Car Club.
Skip visited me several times in Tennessee. One time he stayed long enough to go fishing and caught a lot of fish. I always had good times with Skip. He was a good friend and will be remembered forever.
Scott Ransom
My deepest sincerest condolences, I know how you must feel. You will be in my prayers and always in my thoughts. I love you my friend ❤
Oh Skip…how much we all loved you! You made us smile and laugh and I am blessed to have met you and your daughter, Leigha. 💛🌻💛
Give them’hell’ up there Skip! 😉