EARL O. CATO

Cato, Earl O.

September 3, 1934 - January 2016

Earl Oliver Cato, 81, passed from Earth to Heaven on January 28, 2016 in Orange, CA, surrounded by loved ones. The youngest of seven children born to Joseph "Joe" Sylvester Cato and Devada Lucille Taylor Cato, he was raised on a farm in Hartsville, TN.

At Trousdale High School in Hartsville, Earl was a three-sport standout. In football, he was known for being crazy-legged and trigger-armed. In basketball he was selected to the All-Tournament Team, where he was named Outstanding Player. In baseball Earl was known as the "Big Stick Man".

Earl attended Castle Heights Military Academy, in Lebanon, TN, where he became known for his speed and long scoring runs. Earl was named to Castle Heights Football Hall of Fame.

Earl went on to play at Compton College in Los Angeles County, CA. In 1956 he was named Football All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association. That same year he earned the title of Outstanding Player in the Jr. Rose Bowl.

After joining the Army in 1957, Earl played halfback for the Fort Belvoir Engineers. The following season he played with the All-Army All-Service Team. Earl received several offers from pro teams and signed with the Cleveland Browns where he was injured in camp, and cut. Earl did play with the semi-pro team, the Orange County Rhinos.

In 1959, wanting to settle down, he married Susan Atwood and began a long-lasting career working in the corporate restaurant industry followed by owning and managing his own chain of restaurants in Orange County, CA called Sir Oliver's. Later he turned to commercial real estate, specializing in restaurant properties.

Earl enjoyed golf, getting together with friends, and watching his grandchildren play in sports. He will be missed by his family and friends who have always appreciated Earl's steadfastness, gregarious personality, love of life, and love of people.

Earl is survived by his children Jamie, Gary and Ginger; grandchildren Jessica, Josh, Jade, Ashlee, J.T. and Sky; great-grandson Jace, all of Orange County, CA; and brother Ted, of Hartsville TN. A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity United Presbyterian Church located at 13922 Prospect Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705, on Saturday, February 13, at 10:30 AM.