Tom Cates

Thomas "Tom" Sidney Cates, 80, of Mooresville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 at the Gordon Hospice House. Born May 5, 1927 in Jackson, Miss., he was the son of the late William Thomas and Mildred Lewis Cates. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and then graduated from Mississippi State, where he was affiliated with Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a member of the Professional Engineers and founding member of the Calidonia Pipe Band. Tom was an Eagle Scout and a Scout Master in Atlanta. He retired a civil engineer from Southern Bell. He was a member and commodore of the Lake Norman Yacht Club and the Sports Car Club of America. Tom was an avid hunter, sharp shooter and fisherman. Mr. Cates is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Helen Jolly Cates; children, Sidney Jenkins and husband, Danny, of Charlotte, Pamela Dillon and husband, John, of Cornelius, William "Bill" Cates and wife, Susan Porter, of Charlotte; grandchildren, Catie, Brandt, Wynne and Maggie; stepgrandchildren, Colin, Meredith, Lindsay and Savanna. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 and the Iredell County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1617, Statesville, NC 28687. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Cates family.