Jim and Delores Oates Scholarship Fund

About the Scholarship:

James Thomas Oates, nicknamed "Taxman," was a product of Catholic schools growing up. He attended St. Joseph Catholic elementary school in downtown Mobile, graduating in 1952, then attended McGill Institute, graduating in 1956 as president of his senior class. He graduated from Spring Hill College in 1960.

After college, he joined the U.S. Army, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and after completing his duties, began employment with International Paper, where he worked in their accounting office for 22 years. He began "Jim Oates Tax Service" in Daphne thereafter,  and ran that business successfully for 35 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Cangemi Oates.

Upon his death, Mr. Oates left the entirety of his estate to St. Michael, with instructions to leave the principal in tact and use the interest in perpetuity to support families seeking a Catholic education for their child. In explaining his reasons for this generous act, he was very clear: "I went to St. Joseph for three dollars a month. I went to McGill for one hundred dollars a year. It's payback time!" 

Amount of Award: 

The Jim and Delores Oates Scholarship is designed to meet a family's demonstrated need to attend St. Michael, making a Catholic education possible for their child.  The number of Oates Scholarship recipients each year will vary, depending on the investment income of that particular year. 

Qualifications for the Scholarship:

1. The Oates scholarship is intended to assist families with need.  Families must demonstrate need by applying for financial aid through the school's regular processes by March 31.  
2. The recipients must be students with a strong commitment to learning. 
3. The recipients demonstrate a Christian commitment to others and to their Church.