James Newell Cato

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Newell Cato, 63, of Brenham, Texas. He passed away on March 5, 2025 at home with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, Texas on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Pastor Darrin Holub will officiate. A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until service time.

A visitation will also be held at Sullivan Funeral Home, 1801 Houston St., Vernon, TX 76384 Monday, March 10, 2025 from 10:00 am until 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at East View Cemetery in Vernon.

Serving as pallbearers will be Cody Crawford, Ryan Collins, Ryan Fink, Steven Cato, and John Cato.

James was born on August 15th, 1961 in Brownfield, Texas to Jarvis Newell and Kathern Juanita Cato. He graduated from Dumas High School in 1979. James attended Texas A&M University, in College Station, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 1983.

After graduating, James started Cato Construction, fabricating buildings and specialized equipment for Washington Animal Clinic, Cato Ranch, Blue Bell Creameries, Acme Brick and other brick manufacturers. He worked hard building his business over the years to support his family. James made many lifelong friends throughout his career and traveled worldwide with his business and helping others. James loved his family and friends fiercely and would go above and beyond to help them in any way. He also loved his horses, mules, donkeys, and his Rhodesian Ridgeback dog named Doc.

James married Rosie Boettcher on December 14th, 1991 in Dumas, Texas. They made their home in Brenham, Texas, and in 1994 they were blessed with their daughter, Jaclyn. Jaclyn married Kenan Blackerby and they were blessed with a beautiful son, Josiah.

James is survived by his wife, Rosie Cato of Brenham, Texas, daughter Jaclyn (Kenan) Blackerby and grandson Josiah of Leander, Texas, mother Juanita Cato of Amarillo, Texas, sister Jnita (Donald) Collins of Amarillo, Texas, brother-in-law Todd Crawford, of Panhandle, Texas, nephew Ryan (Stephanie) Collins, niece Katie (Ryan) Fink, nephew Cody (Alyssa) Crawford, Rosie’s siblings: Paul Boettcher, Katherine Reavis, Theresa (Adolph) Schultz, Abraham (Georgia) Boettcher, John (Sharon) Boettcher, Mary Garcia, Betty (Gar) Zwahr, and David (Barbara) Boettcher. Numerous extended family members, friends, and work colleagues will also miss him.

James is preceded in death by his father, Jarvis Cato and his sister, Jaquita Crawford.