Lamar Cato lived a full and adventurous life. He served in the Army in Germany for two terms during the Korean War, driving tanks. Mr. Cato was a hard worker and took on the fun job of an ice cream man, milk man a puppeteer and camera man for channel 11. He also played on a semi pro baseball team called the Georgia Crackers. He put his self through automotive school while working two jobs and had a wife and baby Dennis at home. He then went on to continue working in the automotive field and selling Life Insurance. He had his own Mobile automotive company that would go to your own home to repair your vehicle. While selling Life Insurance he became a top Regional Manager for Interstate Life Insurance. Lamar had a passion for music and was a self taught guitar player. One of his first bands he played in was called the Golden Nugget. The bands played old time rock n roll music at local American Legion Clubs, Elk’s clubs and many other places. Lamar and his brother Ferrell started Cato Electric company and in the beginning continued to play in his band to pay the house hold bills. As Cato Electric became a very successful company Lamar continued his many hobbies which included weekly golf, playing pool and bowling. He also owned a house boat called the “Ding a ling girl” where he spent many weekends playing music all night on the Boat with his family and friends. In his late forties he decided he wanted to fly airplanes and studied to get his pilot license. Shortly after his solo flight he bought his first airplane. In his 50’s he played in softball tournaments with his son and his sons friends. Lamar and his son Dennis where the first father and son that hit back to back home runs over the fence at Al Bishop Softball complex. Mr. Cato was loved and adored by many. Although Lamar had 3 children, he was a father figure to many. He will always be remembered as a fun, fearless man.
Lamar Cato is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Betty Lou; his second love, Linda Lewis of 7 years; his mother, Bertha Dickson; and his brother Farrell Cato. He is survived by his children Dennis Cato and wife Charlotte, Darlene Thrasher, Sandie Edenfield and husband Michael; brothers, Glen Bernie ; sister, Diane Niel; grandchildren, Josh Cato, Devin Phillips, Karissa Otte, Lexie Thrasher; seven great grandchildren; and his loyal furry friend, Cam AKA Frankie.
A memorial service to honor the life of Lamar Cato will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in the chapel of Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home at 2:00 PM. Immediately will follow the service at Pineridge Memorial Park.
