Ray Wilson Cates

01/28/1924 - 01/09/2026

Born January 28, 1924, in Crofton, Kentucky, to James Ray and Nellie Mae Cates.
Died January 9, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnez Croft Cates, and his brother, Charles Lee Cates (Mary). He is survived by two daughters, Cathy Ivey (Bill) and Lisa Jesse (Sam); five grandchildren, David Ivey (Jessica), Mary Ivey Edgar (Dustin), Eric Jesse, Neil Jesse, and Samantha Jesse; four great-grandchildren, Abigail and Hannah Edgar, Rose and Ty Ivey, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and served until 1945, primarily in Guadalcanal. He then graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1950.
After graduation, he worked for Moore-Handley in Nashville and was eventually transferred to Birmingham. He later worked for American National Life Insurance, Twenty Services, and Vulcan Life Insurance.
Ray and his wife, Bonnie, were founding members of Roebuck Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For many years, he served as a lay minister in the Christian Church, primarily in Cottondale, Cullman, Jasper, and Birmingham. When he and Bonnie moved to Altadena they became members of Mountain Chapel Methodist Church.
He had a genuine servant spirit; after retiring, he volunteered at Lake Villa in East Lake and later at Medical Center East. Ray was a lifelong learner, a voracious reader, and a prayer warrior. He committed to memory a huge amount of Bible verses and other famous literary passages.
Ray was a student of military history and a huge Boston Celtics fan. He loved a good joke and was a great storyteller.
He almost made it to his 102nd birthday. What a life to celebrate!
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 on Tuesday, January 13, at Mountain Chapel Methodist Church, 2541 Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35243. Visitation is at 1:00 and after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mountain Chapel Methodist Church, Highlands United Methodist Church Backpack Ministry, or The Salvation Army.