Kathryn Cates

Clara Kathryn Cates
July 20, 1937 – September 15, 2025

Kathryn Cates, age 88, went home to be with the Lord and to reunite with her beloved husband, Billy J. Cates, and other loved ones on September 15, 2025, in Denison, Texas.

Kathryn was born on July 20, 1937, in Pottsboro, Texas, the daughter of J.W. Kennedy and Vera Kennedy. She married the love of her life, Billy J. Cates, on June 15, 1956, in Colbert, Oklahoma, and together they raised two sons, Michael Cates and Kevin Cates.

She loved deeply and expressed that love in countless ways. She was known for her elaborate family meals and the special homemade cakes she baked for every birthday. While others urged her to sit and enjoy the meal she had prepared, she could usually be found on her feet, serving everyone else and making sure they had everything they needed.

When her boys were young, she cherished family adventures; camping and fishing at Blue River and taking road trips to different states.

Kathryn also had a lifelong passion for gardening, surrounding her home with beautiful flowers that she often shared with loved ones. She delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always ready with something fun or creative for them to do. Many joyful hours were spent drawing, cross-stitching, coloring Easter eggs, and getting hands dirty together in the garden.

Kathryn was, and always will be, an extraordinary wife, mother, and grandmother, whose love and presence will be deeply missed.

Mrs. Cates is survived by her sons, Michael Cates and wife Rena Cates of Bells, Texas, and Kevin Cates of Denison; her grandchildren Lindsay Cates and spouse Ronnie Bonja of Pottsboro, Texas, and Josh Cates and wife Samantha Cates of Trenton, Texas; great-grandchildren Maverick and Duke Cates, and Avery and Daniel Bonja; brothers Ron Kennedy and wife Glenda Kennedy of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Rick Kennedy of Terrell, Texas; and sister-in-law Janice Kennedy of Sachse, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Billy J. Cates; her parents, J.W. and Vera Kennedy; her brother Jim Kennedy; and baby sister Barbara Kennedy.

At Kathryn's request, she will be quietly laid to rest beside Billy at Fairview Cemetery in Denison.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Fairview Chapel, with Rev. Keith Taylor officiating. Family visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fisher Funeral Home, located at 604 W. Main St. in Denison, Texas.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Kathryn Cates, please click here to visit our sympathy store.