Donald Dewey Cates

Donald Dewey Cates, 85, of Spavinaw, passed from this life on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at his home. He was born on July 15, 1937, in Tulsa, Oklahoma; the son of Dewey and Jessie (Reinhardt) Cates. On June 22, 1957, he married Margaret Mingus in Claremore, Oklahoma and they spent 65 wonderful years together in marriage. His family later grew with two sons, Donald and John. He loved spending time with them, especially when it came to going to the races with Donald or taking John to race his RC cars. You could always count him in when it came to his family, specifically his kids or grandkids activities. He dedicated many years to working for American Airlines as an Operating Engineer where he retired in 1997. He enjoyed farming, looking out to watch his cattle, and watching RFDTV and history channels. One of his favorite titles was crew chief for his grandson, Paul. His ’62 Pontiac seen many drives and shows. In 2010, he took it to the drag strip and made a pass, which his wife does not know about… He loved anything to do with racing and old cars. Leaving behind a wonderful legacy, he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services for Donald will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, 2023, in the Shipman’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Mark Burger and Marty Dyer officiating. Burial will follow in the Ross-Mayes Cemetery with Donald Paul Cates Jr., Jason Hughes, Carson Cates, Gregory Cates, Jason Teague, Weston Davis, and Trevor Hughes serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Gerald Dyer, Matt Wagner, Gene Harper, and Brent Wagner. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Shipman’s Funeral Home. To leave his family a message, please visit his Guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.

Donald is survived by his wife, Margaret Cates of the home; sons, Donald P. Cates and wife Tammy of Spavinaw, and John Cates and wife Nicole, also of Spavinaw; grandchildren, Julie Hughes and husband Jason of Salina, Paul Cates and wife Wendi of Pryor, Jessica Teague and husband Jason of Checotah, Gregory Cates and Isabella Cates of Spavinaw; great grandkids, Matti Davis and husband Weston of Salina, Trevor Hughes and wife Hannah of Westville, Jacie Hughes, Carson Cates, Hayley Teague, Lane Teague, Wyatt Gage, Emeri Gage, Everli Cates, Tripp Cates; and great great granddaughter, Logan Hughes. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Jessie Cates; and great grandson, Hunter Teague.