Winter Haven’s first Black firefighter, Arnold Ray Oates Sr., died Monday at age 83 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Oates will be remembered for a staunch work ethic and his good name, said his son, 56-year-old Arnold Oates Jr.
“He had that name recognition,” Oates Jr. said.
Joining the fire department as a volunteer in 1967, Oates became a full-time firefighter in 1971 and later was promoted to the position of firefighter engineer.
The struggle as the first Black firefighter was real, according to his son.
“We had to deal with that as kids,” he said. “We were still not accepted as Black people." Oates Jr. said his dad was an “ice breaker” who was a “well rounded, sweet guy,” quickly gaining popularity at the fire department for his cooking skills.
“My dad could throw down,” he said. “People just welcomed him for the type of person he was."