Tommy Dale Cates

Tommy was born on February 26, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Thomas Franklin Cates and Mary Kathaleen Cates. His family later moved to Florence, Alabama, where Tommy attended Brooks High School in Killen, Alabama.

Tommy was a hardworking man who spent his younger years driving heavy equipment, dump trucks, hot shot trucks, and 18-wheelers. Later in life, he became a mechanic, a job that suited him perfectly because Tommy could fix just about anything.

He had a lifelong love of cars, motorcycles, trucks, and anything with a motor. He enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together, and there wasn’t much he couldn’t figure out when it came to a vehicle or a machine.

Tommy was also a collector at heart. He loved his diecast cars and had a collection of more than 100. He also collected guns, old coins, and many other things that caught his interest over the years.

One of Tommy’s greatest dreams was to ride his beloved Goldwing trike all the way to California with his sons. It was the kind of adventure Tommy looked forward to—riding, seeing the country, and making memories with his boys.

Tommy is survived by his two sons, Barry Dale Cates of Decatur, Alabama, and Richard Allen Cates of Morris, Alabama.

He is also survived by his brother, Donny Cates and wife Vickie of Hayden, Alabama, and his sister, Teresa Carlisle of Chelsea, Alabama.

Tommy leaves behind six nephews: David Cates and wife Cassidy, and Steven Cates and wife Haley, all of North Carolina; Brooks Jett and wife Maegan of Moody, Alabama; Blane Jett and wife Britney of Trussville, Alabama; Branson Montgomery and wife Jasmine of Chelsea, Alabama; and Tyger Cates of Hillsboro, Alabama.

He is also survived by his aunt, Betty Richardson of Florence, Alabama, along with many great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, extended family members, and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Todd; his mother, Mary Kathaleen Godsey; his father, Thomas Franklin Cates; and his half-brother, Thomas Franklin Cates Jr.

A Sister’s Goodbye

Tommy was my big brother, and there are some goodbyes you are never prepared to say.

If you knew Tommy, you knew there was no one quite like him. He was the kind of man who would help someone when they needed it. He didn’t have to have a lot to give—if someone needed him, he showed up.

Tommy loved his cars, motorcycles, trucks, and all the things he could take apart and put back together. He loved collecting, he loved his family, and he had dreams of the adventures he still wanted to take.

One of those dreams was riding his Goldwing trike to California with his sons. I wish more than anything that he could have made that trip. But I hope his boys know that their dad’s dreams, his stories, his laughter, and the memories they made together will always travel with them.

As his sister, I will miss knowing that my big brother is just a phone call away. I will miss his voice, his stories, his way of doing things, and all the little things that made him Tommy.

There are so many things I wish I could say to him one more time.

Tommy, I hope you knew how much you were loved. I hope you knew how much you meant to all of us. You were my brother, and no matter how many years pass, you always will be.

I hope wherever you are, there are plenty of motorcycles to ride, old cars to work on, and a beautiful road waiting for you.

And maybe someday, when your boys are riding down that road, they’ll look over and feel you riding right beside them.

Until we meet again, big brother.
I love you, Tommy.
You will never be forgotten. ❤️

Funeral Services

Funeral services for Tommy Dale Cates will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Rideout Funeral Home, located at 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, Alabama.

Visitation: 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to come together to remember, honor, and celebrate Tommy’s life.