Clinton Clifton Cator Jr.

Born on January 12, 1925, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Clint was the son of Nellie Mae and Clinton C. Cator Sr. He spent his early years in Chemung, Illinois, during the Great Depression, and later in Rockford and Belvidere, where he graduated from high school in 1943, earning 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

In 1945, Clint proudly answered the call to serve in World War II. After qualifying for the Army Air Corps, he trained as a navigator and radar specialist and served in the Pacific Theater with the 20th Air Force. Over the course of 35 combat missions aboard a B-29 bomber, Clint demonstrated remarkable courage and skill. During one mission in April 1945, he navigated a severely damaged aircraft 750 miles to safety using only a sextant and the stars, a feat that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Clint married the love of his life, Esther Mae Anderson, on December 21, 1947. He earned a college degree on the GI Bill, graduated in 1950, and welcomed their first child in 1951. That same year, he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, where he flew long-range weather reconnaissance missions out of Guam.

In 1954, Clint and his family moved to Colorado, where he began a successful career in engineering. In 1958, he founded Clint Cator Company, which later became Cator, Ruma & Associates in partnership with Sebastian Ruma. His firm contributed to major commercial and healthcare projects across six states. Their Lakewood office building was built with Permit No. 1, a symbol of Clint's pioneering spirit and leadership.

Clint was known for his integrity, humility, and deep gratitude for those he worked with and served beside. He often said that any success he achieved was thanks to the exceptional people around him. He retired in 1990, proud of a life defined by service, faith, family, and hard work.

Clint is survived by children Cathy Lupton, Clint Cator III and Christine Skelton; children in-laws Michael Freeman and Rose Cator; grandchildren Kyle Freeman, Clint Cator IV, Sean Cator, Carly Pace, Scott Skelton and James Skelton; grandchildren in-laws AJ Freeman, Lindsey Cator, Doris Cator, Brad Pace, Erin Skelton and Lindsay Skelton; great-grandchildren Clint Cator V, Camryn Cator, Dean Cator, Francois Cator, Samuel Cator, Stevie Louanne Pace, Christopher Skelton, Ava Grace Skelton, Ryan Reid and James Reid; and soon to be great-grandchildren Collins Rose Pace and baby Skelton. He was preceded in death by wife Esther Mae Cator and daughter Carolyn Cator.

A public memorial will be held at Green Mountain Presbyterian, 12900 W Alameda Pkwy, Lakewood on Friday, May 2 at 1:00 PM followed by burial and reception at Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge. Public viewing will be on Thursday, May 1 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO.