George Cates

George Cates, the son of the late Floyd and Ellen Johnson, was born in Pearland, Texas on March 3, 1920, and passed away at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on September 20, 2012, at the age of 92 years, 6 months and 17 days. Mr. Cates had lived in the Dudley, Missouri area since 1951. He was a charter member of the Dudley Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and was the Song Leader. He served on the boards of both the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and the Oaks Center in Dexter. He also served on the Executive Board of the Cane Creek-Stoddard Baptist Association and also served as treasurer, and he served on the Camp Board with the South Missouri Baptist Assembly. He and his wife started the Cates Orchard near Dudley in 1953. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy, serving in WWII, and served in the U. S. Navy Reserves. On November 5, 1943, he was married to Helen Louise Benes in Pearland, Texas. She preceded him in death on August 16, 2006. Surviving are one son, Ronnie Cates of Puxico, Missouri; three daughters and spouses, Patti and Asa Kinnaman of Bloomfield, Missouri, Bessie McRoy and Janet and Kevin Johns all of Dudley, Missouri; five grandchildren, David Kinnaman, Jerry Kinnaman, Jennifer & Jarod Koenig, Caleb Johns and Emily Johns; one great grandson, Benjamin Koenig; three sisters, Marie Clift and Ruby Jean Rice both of Wenatchee, Washington and Mary Culbertson of Dudley, Missouri; one brother, Sam McAnally of Dexter, Missouri. Other friends and relatives also survive. He was preceded in death by one son, Timothy Cates; three brothers, Delbert, Wayne and John McAnally; and one sister, Della Gibson. Friends may call on Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. John McFarlen of Broseley, Missouri officiating. Interment will be in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made the Missouri Veteran's Home, 2400 Veteran's Memorial Dr., Cape Girardeau MO 63701 or the Stoddard County Gospel Mission, 207 S One Mile Rd, Dexter MO 63841.