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Jerry Leon Cates Sr.

1942 - 2014

Jerry Leon Cates Sr. obituary, 1942-2014, Contra Costa, CA

BORN

1942

DIED

2014

Jerry Cates Obituary

Jerry Leon
Cates, Sr.
August 13, 1942 ~ May 21, 2014
Resident of Pinole
Jerry Leon Cates, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, May 21, peacefully at home following a long illness. Born in Carter County, Missouri, Jerry's parents Henry and Henrietta Cates preceded him in death. Jerry arrived in California before his 2nd birthday. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1960. Jerry was on the class reunion committee which he enjoyed being with his classmates.
Jerry worked at Standard Oil in Richmond before becoming a Farmers Insurance agent. He was a business owner/ agent with Farmers Insurance for over 40 years, Jerry is survived by his two brothers, Don Cates (JoAnn) of Rohnert Park, California, and Fred Cates of San Antonio, Texas, and two sisters, Ruby Wolf of Rainier, Oregon and Audrey Monticue of Burlington Jct., Missouri. Siblings preceded him in death are Willis Cates, Kenneth Cates, Margia Williams, Joe Cates, Ray Cates and Peggy Morton. Jerry left many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is survived by his wife Judy and his children Jerry Jr. (Darla) Cates of Sparks, Nevada, James Cates of Gilroy, Kristy (Patrick) Cates-Frankfort of New York City, New York and two step-daughter Michelle Mendes and Cindy Dzierman. Preceded him in death his daughter Tammy Fleharty.
He leaves grandchildren Andrew, Stewart, Mitchell, Destiny, Trevor, Roxanne, Samantha, Victoria, Dylan and unborn granddaughter Grace, and great-grandchildren Trinity, Jasmine, Josiah and Isaiah Jerry was deeply involved in the Pinole community: Pinole JCs, Roosters, director of Pinole Hospital, Rejects, P.I.G.S., Rotary Club of Pinole. Jerry spearheaded the project, AMBER SWARTZ PARK, for still missing Amber Swartz.
Jerry lived his life by the: Rotary Four Way Test.
Jerry was full of life, fun, funny and always had a joke. His illness took that away from him at the end. Jerry loved his children and gave them the space for them to live their own lives, a loving husband and a good friend.
Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life for Jerry on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Veterans Club of El Sobrante, 5216 Sobrante Avenue, El Sobrante, CA. Time 2PM – 5PM. A Mass for Jerry is to be held on Mon. June 30, 2014 at St. Joseph Church, 837 Tennent Ave. Pinole, CA. at 11:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Rotary Foundation, c/o Rotary Club of Pinole, P.O. Box 386, Pinole, CA 94564 or Pinole Youth Foundation, 2131 Pear St., Pinole, CA. 94564 or American Cancer Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Contra Costa Times on Jun. 21, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Cates

Sponsored by East Bay Times.

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5 Entries

Ernie & Elvira Salazar

July 6, 2014

We've missed you these past years at the crab feeds. Just haven't been the same without you. We had a lot of laughs, food, and drink there. We miss exchanging jokes with you and all the laughter. We're honored to have started as a business relationship; and, ended as a friendship for so many years. Rest in peace. You are in our prayers.

Sheri Cates Herbert

June 23, 2014

I love you Uncle Jerry! I will miss giving you a hard time about thinking I was Delynn! I know you are in a much better place! Tell those that have gone before us that you are all loved and missed very much! Keep playing that beautiful music!

Barbara Cates

June 23, 2014

I always enjoyed listening to the Cates brothers play and sing. Although Dad (Bill) didn't play much he sure lit up when everybody was playing. I will hope to hear them all play again in heaven one day.

Charles morton

June 22, 2014

We will miss you uncle Jerry

From humble beginnings still a farmer

June 22, 2014

As his oldest Nephew, I lived next door to Henry and Henrietta Cates and Jerry was just beginning High School at that time, being only 5 years younger I can remember a few things that happened then...He used to give me rides around in his Oldsmobile, and was always having a good time as I remember...I remember the Sunday Jam sessions in Grandpa and Grandma's Living room, and watching him and all my uncles playing music and having such a good time, then all of us sitting down for Ham hocks and white beans. Then Later in life attending a Golf Tournament he produced and made some funny comments about my golf game as he handed me a #1 driver (I still have) that I won in his raffle. I remember the very proud look on his face when he greeted his very talented Daughter Kristy back stage where she starred in the "Into the Woods" Production. My only regret is that I didn't come to visit him more. My condolences to all his surviving family to which I am proudly one.
RIP dear uncle Bruce W. Cates son of Willis Frank Cates, Jerry's oldest brother.

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Memorial Events
for Jerry Cates

Jun

29

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Veterans Club of El Sobrante

5216 Sobrante Avenue, El Sobrante, CA

Jun

30

Funeral Mass

11:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Church

837 Tennent Ave., Pinole, CA

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