He was a Navy veteran who served in WWII. Most of his life he was a carpenter/home builder. He attended the Assembly of God Church and taught the Sunday School teen class, he was a deacon and worship leader. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas G Cates and Rosa E (Harris) Cates, two sisters, Anna Bell Thompson and Edith Cates, Daughter-in-law Terri L (Rhodes) Cates.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Phyllis A (Schoor) Cates; two sisters Ima Jean Cusick of Kansas City Mo and Sue Kuntz (Robert) of Harrisonville Missouri and one brother Thomas Cates of Lees Summit Mo, two sons Eddie R Cates and George G Cates of Pleasant Hill Mo., one daughter Linda S Waugh (Wes) of Belton Mo.. Grandchildren Kristy Cates of Pleasant Hill Mo, Andrew Waugh, Martin Waugh, Sarah Waugh of Belton Mo, Carrie Bell of Riverside Mo. Great Grandchildren Zoie Cates and Mandy Powell of Pleasant Hill, Mo, Cola Dunn, Levi Dunn and Anthony Bell.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm. Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Floral Hills Funeral Home 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm, with interment at 3:00 pm in Floral Hill Cemetary.