Leonard Cates of Sanger, California
December 21, 1934 - July 22, 2022
Services
Visitation
Monday, August 1, 2022
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home - FD 502
1524 9th Street
Sanger, California 93657
Graveside Service
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
10:00 AM
Sanger Cemetery
568 S. Rainbow Road
Sanger, CA 93657
LEONARD CATES OBITUARY
Heaven has gained an Angel. Leonard Cates, 87, passed away peacefully in Fresno, California on July 22, 2022 with family by his side. The beloved son of the late Ralph and Ester Cates of Clovis, California was born December 21, 1934 in Marshall, Texas. The family moved to California when he was 10. Dad attended school at Fairmont Elementary and Sanger High School until his Junior year, when he figured he couldn't learn anything more from the teachers cause he was smarter than them.
Dad started his trucking career with Cooper Trucking going into the packing houses at the age of 17. He went to work for Case Trucking driving to the Bay area and Los Angles for about 8 Years. (Dad finally had to get his Commercial Drivers License when after a small accident Lonnie found out he didn't have one.) He worked for Pine Logging /American Transfer hauling logs from the High Country to the Mill at Dinky Creek. When the mill closed for the winter season's, he was a Reserve Police Officer for Sanger Police Department. He did all their reloading and bullet making on his off time. He finished his career working for Cal Gas/AmeriGas for 31 Years, retiring in 1995. He loved telling us all how good of a driver he was and the millions of miles he has driven over the years.
Dad met and started dating Gloria Maxine Root March 21, 1953, after being set up by moms best friend Donna. They Married on September 21, 1954 in Sanger, California at Grandpa and Grandma Cates house on Academy. (Dad still was under the age of 21, so Grandma had to sign her permission for them to marry.) They welcomed daughter Deborah, son's Robert and Jeremy, and Granddaughter Melinda that they raised since birth as their own.
Dad spent his off time and vacations hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. We spent summers at Pismo Beach and Dinkey Creek, and every September we would head north to the Klamath or Trinity River to fish for Steelhead Salmon. He loved just jumping in the Jeepster and picking up a bucket of fried chicken calling his friends Keith and Betty, or Uncle Dale and Aunt Darlene and heading up the hill for the day to picnic.
Dad loved spending time with his family. He taught the boys to work on cars, and taught us all to shoot, fish, and the correct way and reasons for hunting. He loved having family and friends over to BBQ, or going to have family dinners at Grandpa and Grandma's and visiting with the family. Dad and mom would play games like Aggravation with Uncle Tom and Aunt Jean, or go out dancing to the Moose Lodge.
Dad was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Sanger. He was very outgoing in the church and sang in the choir and became the choir director. He loved singing with his friends Ruby, Helen, Flora and the quartet of him, Sue and Cecil. He just loved singing anything from the old country songs to gospel. He also was part of the Buildings and Ground committee and enjoyed going down on Saturdays when he physically could to help with fixing things and cleaning around the church with his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Dad's health started diminishing when diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimers. Then Covid hit and he had to stay home so he couldn't attend church services, or go to his favorite hangout Jack in the Box to eat and visit with his friends there that would come in.
Dad is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brother's Jessie and Chuck Cates, and 3 sister's Josephine Walters, Mae Holland, and Juanita Cates.
Leonard leaves behind his loving wife Gloria Maxine, Daughter Deborah Wasik of Caldwell, ID; Son's Robert (Sandra) of Orfino, ID; Jeremy(Renee) of Idaho Falls, ID; and Daughter Melinda Bell(James) of Kingman; AZ. 5 Grandchildren, 17 1/2 (Due in the next few days)Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandson. As well as sister in law's and many nieces, nephews and friends. We will all miss you! Rest in Paradise until we are once again united!!
A Celebration of Life will follow services Tuesday at First Southern Baptist Church, 1116 O St. Please bring salads, desserts, fruit trays, cold appetizers or bucket of Fried Chicken (we all know how daddy loved his Fried Chicken), as well as your fun stories and or pictures of dad. Family will be providing deli trays and drinks.
In lieu of flowers please donate to American Alzheimers Association and designate your donation in Leonard's name.
Published by Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home on Jul. 28, 2022.
December 21, 1934 - July 22, 2022
Services
Visitation
Monday, August 1, 2022
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home - FD 502
1524 9th Street
Sanger, California 93657
Graveside Service
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
10:00 AM
Sanger Cemetery
568 S. Rainbow Road
Sanger, CA 93657
LEONARD CATES OBITUARY
Heaven has gained an Angel. Leonard Cates, 87, passed away peacefully in Fresno, California on July 22, 2022 with family by his side. The beloved son of the late Ralph and Ester Cates of Clovis, California was born December 21, 1934 in Marshall, Texas. The family moved to California when he was 10. Dad attended school at Fairmont Elementary and Sanger High School until his Junior year, when he figured he couldn't learn anything more from the teachers cause he was smarter than them.
Dad started his trucking career with Cooper Trucking going into the packing houses at the age of 17. He went to work for Case Trucking driving to the Bay area and Los Angles for about 8 Years. (Dad finally had to get his Commercial Drivers License when after a small accident Lonnie found out he didn't have one.) He worked for Pine Logging /American Transfer hauling logs from the High Country to the Mill at Dinky Creek. When the mill closed for the winter season's, he was a Reserve Police Officer for Sanger Police Department. He did all their reloading and bullet making on his off time. He finished his career working for Cal Gas/AmeriGas for 31 Years, retiring in 1995. He loved telling us all how good of a driver he was and the millions of miles he has driven over the years.
Dad met and started dating Gloria Maxine Root March 21, 1953, after being set up by moms best friend Donna. They Married on September 21, 1954 in Sanger, California at Grandpa and Grandma Cates house on Academy. (Dad still was under the age of 21, so Grandma had to sign her permission for them to marry.) They welcomed daughter Deborah, son's Robert and Jeremy, and Granddaughter Melinda that they raised since birth as their own.
Dad spent his off time and vacations hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. We spent summers at Pismo Beach and Dinkey Creek, and every September we would head north to the Klamath or Trinity River to fish for Steelhead Salmon. He loved just jumping in the Jeepster and picking up a bucket of fried chicken calling his friends Keith and Betty, or Uncle Dale and Aunt Darlene and heading up the hill for the day to picnic.
Dad loved spending time with his family. He taught the boys to work on cars, and taught us all to shoot, fish, and the correct way and reasons for hunting. He loved having family and friends over to BBQ, or going to have family dinners at Grandpa and Grandma's and visiting with the family. Dad and mom would play games like Aggravation with Uncle Tom and Aunt Jean, or go out dancing to the Moose Lodge.
Dad was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Sanger. He was very outgoing in the church and sang in the choir and became the choir director. He loved singing with his friends Ruby, Helen, Flora and the quartet of him, Sue and Cecil. He just loved singing anything from the old country songs to gospel. He also was part of the Buildings and Ground committee and enjoyed going down on Saturdays when he physically could to help with fixing things and cleaning around the church with his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Dad's health started diminishing when diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimers. Then Covid hit and he had to stay home so he couldn't attend church services, or go to his favorite hangout Jack in the Box to eat and visit with his friends there that would come in.
Dad is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brother's Jessie and Chuck Cates, and 3 sister's Josephine Walters, Mae Holland, and Juanita Cates.
Leonard leaves behind his loving wife Gloria Maxine, Daughter Deborah Wasik of Caldwell, ID; Son's Robert (Sandra) of Orfino, ID; Jeremy(Renee) of Idaho Falls, ID; and Daughter Melinda Bell(James) of Kingman; AZ. 5 Grandchildren, 17 1/2 (Due in the next few days)Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandson. As well as sister in law's and many nieces, nephews and friends. We will all miss you! Rest in Paradise until we are once again united!!
A Celebration of Life will follow services Tuesday at First Southern Baptist Church, 1116 O St. Please bring salads, desserts, fruit trays, cold appetizers or bucket of Fried Chicken (we all know how daddy loved his Fried Chicken), as well as your fun stories and or pictures of dad. Family will be providing deli trays and drinks.
In lieu of flowers please donate to American Alzheimers Association and designate your donation in Leonard's name.
Published by Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home on Jul. 28, 2022.
Leonard Cates of Sanger, California
December 21, 1934 - July 22, 2022
Services
Visitation
Monday, August 1, 2022
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home - FD 502
1524 9th Street
Sanger, California 93657
Graveside Service
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
10:00 AM
Sanger Cemetery
568 S. Rainbow Road
Sanger, CA 93657
LEONARD CATES OBITUARY
Heaven has gained an Angel. Leonard Cates, 87, passed away peacefully in Fresno, California on July 22, 2022 with family by his side. The beloved son of the late Ralph and Ester Cates of Clovis, California was born December 21, 1934 in Marshall, Texas. The family moved to California when he was 10. Dad attended school at Fairmont Elementary and Sanger High School until his Junior year, when he figured he couldn't learn anything more from the teachers cause he was smarter than them.
Dad started his trucking career with Cooper Trucking going into the packing houses at the age of 17. He went to work for Case Trucking driving to the Bay area and Los Angles for about 8 Years. (Dad finally had to get his Commercial Drivers License when after a small accident Lonnie found out he didn't have one.) He worked for Pine Logging /American Transfer hauling logs from the High Country to the Mill at Dinky Creek. When the mill closed for the winter season's, he was a Reserve Police Officer for Sanger Police Department. He did all their reloading and bullet making on his off time. He finished his career working for Cal Gas/AmeriGas for 31 Years, retiring in 1995. He loved telling us all how good of a driver he was and the millions of miles he has driven over the years.
Dad met and started dating Gloria Maxine Root March 21, 1953, after being set up by moms best friend Donna. They Married on September 21, 1954 in Sanger, California at Grandpa and Grandma Cates house on Academy. (Dad still was under the age of 21, so Grandma had to sign her permission for them to marry.) They welcomed daughter Deborah, son's Robert and Jeremy, and Granddaughter Melinda that they raised since birth as their own.
Dad spent his off time and vacations hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. We spent summers at Pismo Beach and Dinkey Creek, and every September we would head north to the Klamath or Trinity River to fish for Steelhead Salmon. He loved just jumping in the Jeepster and picking up a bucket of fried chicken calling his friends Keith and Betty, or Uncle Dale and Aunt Darlene and heading up the hill for the day to picnic.
Dad loved spending time with his family. He taught the boys to work on cars, and taught us all to shoot, fish, and the correct way and reasons for hunting. He loved having family and friends over to BBQ, or going to have family dinners at Grandpa and Grandma's and visiting with the family. Dad and mom would play games like Aggravation with Uncle Tom and Aunt Jean, or go out dancing to the Moose Lodge.
Dad was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Sanger. He was very outgoing in the church and sang in the choir and became the choir director. He loved singing with his friends Ruby, Helen, Flora and the quartet of him, Sue and Cecil. He just loved singing anything from the old country songs to gospel. He also was part of the Buildings and Ground committee and enjoyed going down on Saturdays when he physically could to help with fixing things and cleaning around the church with his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Dad's health started diminishing when diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimers. Then Covid hit and he had to stay home so he couldn't attend church services, or go to his favorite hangout Jack in the Box to eat and visit with his friends there that would come in.
Dad is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brother's Jessie and Chuck Cates, and 3 sister's Josephine Walters, Mae Holland, and Juanita Cates.
Leonard leaves behind his loving wife Gloria Maxine, Daughter Deborah Wasik of Caldwell, ID; Son's Robert (Sandra) of Orfino, ID; Jeremy(Renee) of Idaho Falls, ID; and Daughter Melinda Bell(James) of Kingman; AZ. 5 Grandchildren, 17 1/2 (Due in the next few days)Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandson. As well as sister in law's and many nieces, nephews and friends. We will all miss you! Rest in Paradise until we are once again united!!
A Celebration of Life will follow services Tuesday at First Southern Baptist Church, 1116 O St. Please bring salads, desserts, fruit trays, cold appetizers or bucket of Fried Chicken (we all know how daddy loved his Fried Chicken), as well as your fun stories and or pictures of dad. Family will be providing deli trays and drinks.
In lieu of flowers please donate to American Alzheimers Association and designate your donation in Leonard's name.
Published by Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home on Jul. 28, 2022.
December 21, 1934 - July 22, 2022
Services
Visitation
Monday, August 1, 2022
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home - FD 502
1524 9th Street
Sanger, California 93657
Graveside Service
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
10:00 AM
Sanger Cemetery
568 S. Rainbow Road
Sanger, CA 93657
LEONARD CATES OBITUARY
Heaven has gained an Angel. Leonard Cates, 87, passed away peacefully in Fresno, California on July 22, 2022 with family by his side. The beloved son of the late Ralph and Ester Cates of Clovis, California was born December 21, 1934 in Marshall, Texas. The family moved to California when he was 10. Dad attended school at Fairmont Elementary and Sanger High School until his Junior year, when he figured he couldn't learn anything more from the teachers cause he was smarter than them.
Dad started his trucking career with Cooper Trucking going into the packing houses at the age of 17. He went to work for Case Trucking driving to the Bay area and Los Angles for about 8 Years. (Dad finally had to get his Commercial Drivers License when after a small accident Lonnie found out he didn't have one.) He worked for Pine Logging /American Transfer hauling logs from the High Country to the Mill at Dinky Creek. When the mill closed for the winter season's, he was a Reserve Police Officer for Sanger Police Department. He did all their reloading and bullet making on his off time. He finished his career working for Cal Gas/AmeriGas for 31 Years, retiring in 1995. He loved telling us all how good of a driver he was and the millions of miles he has driven over the years.
Dad met and started dating Gloria Maxine Root March 21, 1953, after being set up by moms best friend Donna. They Married on September 21, 1954 in Sanger, California at Grandpa and Grandma Cates house on Academy. (Dad still was under the age of 21, so Grandma had to sign her permission for them to marry.) They welcomed daughter Deborah, son's Robert and Jeremy, and Granddaughter Melinda that they raised since birth as their own.
Dad spent his off time and vacations hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. We spent summers at Pismo Beach and Dinkey Creek, and every September we would head north to the Klamath or Trinity River to fish for Steelhead Salmon. He loved just jumping in the Jeepster and picking up a bucket of fried chicken calling his friends Keith and Betty, or Uncle Dale and Aunt Darlene and heading up the hill for the day to picnic.
Dad loved spending time with his family. He taught the boys to work on cars, and taught us all to shoot, fish, and the correct way and reasons for hunting. He loved having family and friends over to BBQ, or going to have family dinners at Grandpa and Grandma's and visiting with the family. Dad and mom would play games like Aggravation with Uncle Tom and Aunt Jean, or go out dancing to the Moose Lodge.
Dad was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Sanger. He was very outgoing in the church and sang in the choir and became the choir director. He loved singing with his friends Ruby, Helen, Flora and the quartet of him, Sue and Cecil. He just loved singing anything from the old country songs to gospel. He also was part of the Buildings and Ground committee and enjoyed going down on Saturdays when he physically could to help with fixing things and cleaning around the church with his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Dad's health started diminishing when diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimers. Then Covid hit and he had to stay home so he couldn't attend church services, or go to his favorite hangout Jack in the Box to eat and visit with his friends there that would come in.
Dad is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brother's Jessie and Chuck Cates, and 3 sister's Josephine Walters, Mae Holland, and Juanita Cates.
Leonard leaves behind his loving wife Gloria Maxine, Daughter Deborah Wasik of Caldwell, ID; Son's Robert (Sandra) of Orfino, ID; Jeremy(Renee) of Idaho Falls, ID; and Daughter Melinda Bell(James) of Kingman; AZ. 5 Grandchildren, 17 1/2 (Due in the next few days)Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandson. As well as sister in law's and many nieces, nephews and friends. We will all miss you! Rest in Paradise until we are once again united!!
A Celebration of Life will follow services Tuesday at First Southern Baptist Church, 1116 O St. Please bring salads, desserts, fruit trays, cold appetizers or bucket of Fried Chicken (we all know how daddy loved his Fried Chicken), as well as your fun stories and or pictures of dad. Family will be providing deli trays and drinks.
In lieu of flowers please donate to American Alzheimers Association and designate your donation in Leonard's name.
Published by Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home on Jul. 28, 2022.
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