Frederick William Oates: 20th-century Church leader
Frederick William Oakes (known as Fred) was a valiant well-known Church leader in northeast England in the 20th century, and the first president of the Sunderland Stake. He was baptised on 11 May 1918 in Sunderland.
In 1923 he became a very good friend of missionary elder Ezra Taft Benson. When he was sixteen, Fred reported that Elder Benson took the branch’s Aaronic Priesthood holders to a city park, where “he had us sit in a ring … he sat in the middle, and he talked to us about the Word of Wisdom. … He said, ‘Now, brethren, I want to tell you a little poem, and I want you to remember it’—and I’ve always remembered it—‘Tobacco is a weed. The devil sowed the seed. It scents your pockets, burns your clothes, and makes a chimney of your nose!’” “President Benson was a great favourite with us all,” said Fred, “I remember some of the older people, and my dad and mother, saying, ‘You know that young man is going to be a member of the Council of Twelve’.”
In the 1930s Fred served as branch president and also as a local missionary.
“In 1935 an article appeared in the Millennial Star, an extract of which appears below (more can be found on the UK website of the Church at www.lds.org.uk):
“On the Sunderland branch stage-tableau scenes depicting ‘The Restoration of the Gospel’ unfold themselves in splendour. The audience sits enthralled. In the midst of the drama the lean, angular frame of the actor-author and director moves with rapid precision. His histrionic movements are those of a master.
“Out on the athletic field, the same agile man rushes to make a tackle. He is wearing a [checked] blue and gold jersey bearing the script ‘Latter-day Saints.’ He is a member of Sunderland MIA football club. Although outclassed, the team battles gamely on and wins the plaudits of the crowd for its fine display of sportsmanship.
“In the classroom, this same man is explaining the working parts of a woodworking machine. The students listen with interest, for the instructor knows his subject well and knows how to present it attractively.
“This versatile man is Frederick William Oates, Newcastle district president. Brother Oates has been blessed with an abundance of talent. Fortunate indeed is he who has the wisdom to put his ability to the highest cause that man can serve—the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is a believer in the axiom: ‘If you have talents, industry will improve them.’ Never before has there been such a need for men with ideas as there is at the present time.
“He derived satisfaction in rendering service in whatever position he might be called to labour and had the honour of being ordained an elder by Apostle John A Widtsoe. He has enjoyed the loyal help of his wife, Sarah Ellen Williamson Oates, to whom he was married April 7, 1928. They have been blessed with two children, Frederick William Jr and Hazel Dawn.
“Instructor in forms of manual training in a government-managed training school in Sunderland is the vocation of Brother Oates. An honest tithe-payer and a strict observer of the Word of Wisdom, his actions demonstrate his beliefs. An eloquent speaker, too, he impresses all with his sincerity and seriousness.”
Fred also owned and operated W H Forster Ltd (a printing company) until he retired in 1982. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as 1st lieutenant training officer, 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
Throughout his life he enjoyed writing and producing plays. He was kind and gentle, and a source of strength to Latter-day Saints. He was blessed to be able to negotiate for many Church sites throughout the northeast of England. He served the Lord with love and enduring faith until he passed away on 8 September 1995.