BOMBER MEMORIAL

RONALD E. "RON" CATES ~ Class of 1966
August 9, 1948 - April 22, 2002



Ron Cates, 53, passed away in Houston, TX on April 22, 2002. He was born in Richland on August 9, 1948, where he was raised attending Marcus Whitman Elementary School, Sacajawea Elementary School, Spalding Elementary School, Carmichael Junior High School and graduated with the Class of 1966 from Richland's Columbia High School.

After graduation, he was drafted into the Army and fought for our country in Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam he worked for the government as a federal grain inspector until the time of his death.

He was an avid golfer and outdoorsman who loved camping and fishing. He loved to entertain, making his favorite bar-b-que with his secret sauce.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Carrie Cates.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and very devoted wife, Penny Bowen Cates ('67); his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Duane Boudreaux; his son, Stephen Cates; and two grandchildren, Colton and Hailey Boudreaux; all of Texas.

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, David ('65 and '66) and Faye Erdman Cates ('65); three sisters: Cindy ('70) and Wally Ely, Katherine "Kady" Cates Chadwick ('72) and Susan Cates ('78HHS); and three nephews: Randy Cates, Chance Chadwick and Josh Chadwick; all of the Tri-Cities.

"Get the hole-in-one, Ron! We love and miss you."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to M. D. Anderson Hospital; P.O. Box 297153; Houston, TX 77297-0153 in memory of Ronald Cates for Leukemia research.

NOTE:

His brother, David ('65 and '66), passed away April 30, 2009.

His sister, Susan Cates ('78HHS), passed away December 18, 2015.

His sister, Cindy Cates Ely ('70), passed away February 24, 2021.

His brother-in-law, Wally Ely, passed away March 23, 2007.

His sister-in-law, Faye Erdman Cates ('65), passed away April 10, 2022.

His sister, Kady Cates Chadwick ('72), passed away January 8, 2023.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).