Gene Cates

Memorial services for Thomas Eugene “Gene” Cates, 82, of Terlton, were held Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Chapel in Sperry, OK. Pastor Rick Harvey officiated and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK.

Gene was born March 28, 1933 in Jenks, OK to Thomas Jefferson and Ida Flora (Griffin) Cates. He passed away October 29, 2015 in Tulsa, OK.

Gene married Leona Janet Roberts on January 22, 1951, and they were married for 33 years. Of this union, they had two daughters, Janice Lou Jean and Iva Carol. He later married Freda Nigh on June 3, 1994. Gene parked cars for BB Auto Parks, Inc. and was also a rough-in carpenter, an oil field roughneck, and rancher. There was not much Gene couldn’t do. Gene was an avid horseman and it was something he loved to do as well as hunting, fishing and trapping. He also loved to travel and called it the “white line fever” and laugh with his sky blue eyes.

He is survived by his wife, Freda Cates of the home; daughters, Janice Forbes and husband Chuck, and Ivy Brown and husband Gerald all of Locust Grove; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Pam Williams of Mannford, Becky Vaughan of Mannford, and Lorri Tiger and husband Mark of Drumright; six step-grandchildren; 16 step-great grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandchild; sister, Ruby Prince of Tulsa; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Cates; father, Thomas Cates; great-grandson, Tad Ray Harvey; sisters, Daisy Woods, Ruth Redus, Wilma Irene, and Velma; and brothers, Arley, Virgil, Floyd, Johnny and Gilbert.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in his great-grandson, Tad Harvey's memory to:

The MPS Society

PO BOX 14686

Durham, NC 27709