John "Muzzy" Oats, 67, passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, December 15, 2024. Wake services will begin on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and will continue until his funeral service on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  Please visit Muzzy's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at www.hollandbonine.com.

John was born March 11, 1957, to James and Madeline Oats in Fort Belknap, MT. He graduated from Box Elder High School in 1975, and later attended the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in New Mexico. Afterward, he returned to Rocky Boy, where he held a variety of jobs. John also lived in California before moving to Washington, where he met and married Doris Lewis in 1988. Together, they welcomed two children, Erika and Ernest.

John will be forever remembered by his sense of humor. He loved being around friends, laughing and catching up on the latest news. He got along with everyone and opened his home to anyone who needed a place to eat or sleep. He was a very caring and loving man that spent his time playing machines, cards, horseshoes, and enjoyed movie nights with his best friend Kota.  He left an impact on everyone he knew and will be greatly missed. Everyone that he encountered on his adventures has a favorite Muzzy story.

John was preceded by his parents, James and Madeline Oats; daughter, Erika Oats; sisters, Leona Swan, Connie Flores, Gloria Ortiz, Mary Jane Oats, and Cynthia Schmockel; brothers, Leon Oats, Kenneth Stump Sr., Joseph Arkinson, George, Barney, and Danny Montour; granddaughters, Ashley Oats and Britney Lafromboise.

He is survived by his son, Ernest (Charisse Heath) Oats; brothers, Eddy (Karen) Oats, and Quentin Stump, Sr.; sister, Linda (Robert Longfox) Stump, Sharon Schmockel, and Marcella (Scott) Knaub; six grandchildren, Emma, Evelena, Maximus, Leon, Edna, and Cylen; close friends, Leikota Sioux, Leonard "Lenny" Cantrell Jr., Jeremy "Big Lance" Saddler, and many, many, more too numerous to name.

Should anyone have been inadvertently omitted, please accept our sincerest apologies.