Elder R.C. Emanuel, Officiating & Eulogist

Interment following serving in Old Spring Seat Cemetery, Donie, TX.

The first son of the late Minnie W. Tatum and Ervin Tatum was born on May 15, 1927 in the Cedar Grove Community, Buffalo, Texas. The family would soon grow to include brother, Val Gene Tatum and sisters, Ruby Faye Johnson and Josephine Tatum, resided in Tyler, Texas.

Oscar began his education at the Cedar Grove Community School and after the family moved to Tyler, Texas, he graduated from Emmitt Scott High School. He received his college degree from Texas College, Tyler, Texas After graduating college he planned to teach but could not tolerate the confinement of indoors. He spent 3 years in the U.S. Air Force and later joined the U.S. Post Office in Los Angeles, California, as a temporary worker where he remained until his retirement. He had found his niche. At his retirement, for his exemplary service with the Post Office, he was honored with a televised Award Ceremony by the Mayor of Los Angeles and many celebrities for his heroic and outstanding humanitarian actions performed on the job.

After retirement, at the young age of 57, he moved to Lovejoy, Illinois where he spent his days fishing and enjoying life. Oscar volunteered many years in the St. Louis Area Food bank. You could also find him walking for hours retrieving discarded aluminum cans, which accomplished 3 things, he cleaned the environment, got some exercise and made a little extra money.

He departed this life on Saturday, October 17, 2015. 8:00 a.m. at Senior Rehab & Skilled Nursing Home in Port Arthur, Texas.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughters, Gwendolyn Tatum (Dallas, Texas), Bernadette Tatum (Houston, Texas), Patricia Ann Tatum (Moreno Valley, California), and Lizzetta J. Tatum (Bakersfield, California), step-daughter, Gloria Diane Vickers, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Val Gene Tatum, Ruby Faye Johnson, Josephine Tatum; three wives, his son, Craig Anthony Tatum and daughter, Linda Sue Tatum.