Kenneth Ray Cates, affectionately known by many as Ken, devoted husband and dad, 85, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, was born on Thursday, October 27th, 1938, and went to his Heavenly Home on Friday, September 13th, 2024.
He is survived by loving wife of 56 years, Barbara Cates; daughter, Deborah Crabtree; grandson, Zane Crabtree; brother, Melvin (Sherry) Cates; numerous family members and close friends also survive.
He was preceded in death by son, Michael Ray Cates; parents, Horace E. and Vera Weir Cates.
A native of Madisonville, Kentucky, Ken graduated in 1958 from Madisonville High School. After graduation, Mr. Cates moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he began working for HG Hills bagging groceries while working towards his college education. He received his associate’s degree in business from Draughons Junior College in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ken would go onto work for various companies including Aladdin Industries and Cookeville Industries, before dedicating approximately 20 years of his professional life with Wright Industries, where he retired in 2002. During his time with Wright Industries, Mr. Cates took thousands of photographs for award presentations, newsletters, company picnics, and other events. He was also highly skilled when it came to making freehand drawings of machined parts. No one was as good as Ken when it came to sketching.
Mr. Cates was a respected, well-liked, simple man who was a cherished friend to countless people during his career as a businessman. He was a longtime active charter member of Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he fulfilled his lifelong devotion to young children through teaching Sunday school for numerous years.
Ken met the love of his life, Barbara, who accepted him and his son, Michael, into her life. The two wed on Friday, September 27th, 1968 in Donelson, Tennessee. Years later, Ken and Barbara adopted a beautiful three-month-old baby girl, Deborah Jean, who completed their family. They soon became known as “Papa and Nana” to their only grandson, Zane, who was the light of their lives. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Cates, built a beautiful, God-centered life filled with love and laughter.
Kenneth will always be remembered for his kind demeanor, sweet smile, the love and care he gave his family, and the way he lived every day of his life looking forward to the promise of Heaven. His immeasurable impact changed many lives, and he will not soon be forgotten.
The Funeral Service, conducted by Dr. Chuck Groover, will be held on Monday, September 16th, 2024 at 01:00 p.m. in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet. Interment will follow in Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens with Jim Austin, Ray Twyman, Nelson Hale, Lonnie Fox, Jim Plemons, and Barry Barnes serving as pallbearers. Tyler Zane Crabtree will be an honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends on Monday, September 16th from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 01:00 p.m.
Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com
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