Obituary of E J Cates

E.J. Cates, 80, of Cooper, Texas passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday April 25, 2019 at the Delta Funeral Home Chapel Pastor Donnie Powers will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery with Military honors provided by the Hopkins County Military Coalition.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11 am Thursday April 25, 2019 prior to the service.

Serving as pallbearers are Scotty Stegall, Gary Thompson, Willie Bear Wilkins, Allen Foster, Clinton Gillean and Bryce Jester.

E.J. was born in Cooper, Texas on October 5, 1938 to Enon Julius and Opal Irene (Chandler) Cates. They have preceded him in death as well as two sisters, Billie Jean Wright and husband Halton and Bonnie Lee Thomas and husband Herman and a son, Eric J. Cates.

 E. J. was a First Sargent in the Army Serving in the Army-National Guard from 1956-1983 was a full time technician/recruiter missing going overseas by 3 days during the Cuban missile crisis, served 10 months at Ft. Polk,  was a supervisor for Texas Department of Transportation in Paris, Texas for 32 years. He was a member of I.O.O.F., Boy Scouts, American Legion, City Council since 2003, Cooper VFD for 28 years, Past  President of Delta Country Club and Cooper School board three different times . Served as Judge Advocate General covering nine counties, Certified Butcher, Carpenter, Sexton of Oaklawn Cemetery since 2004, Musician since 1953 in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana performing with Sonny James, Hank Thompson, Billy Walker, Jack Green, Sammie Smith, Chuck Jennings, Harlan Powell and Tony Douglas. E J was an active member of Crimson River Cowboy Church.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma Joyce (Carter) Cates of Cooper; daughter, Janeen Gibson and husband, Mike of Cooper; two grandchildren, Jacie Reger and husband Trevor, and Justin Gibson, one great grandchild Rayni Reger.

Family requests memorials be made to the American Legion Post # 483 P.O. Box 82   Cooper, TX 75432

Online condolences may be made at www.deltafuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Delta Funeral Home.