John Monroe Cato, 84, a resident of Muskogee for nearly 51 years, passed away January 14, 2009 in his home of 46 years. Despite the pain, discomfort, weakness and life changes the past 10 months caused by cancer, he took it all in stride, never complaining and never losing his sense of humor. He is now blessed with a well-deserved rest.John was born January 3, 1925 at Malden, in the boot heel of Missouri, to Charles Monroe and Celia Elizabeth Watson Cato. He later moved with his family to Canton, IL. While in school John was a cheerleader and on the track and football teams. In October 1942 he joined the United States Navy. On board the USS Steamer Bay, his tour of duty included Pearl Harbor, Marshall Islands, Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in February of 1944 and upon returning home earned his high school diploma from Canton High School. John moved to Oklahoma City, OK and met Theresa Mae Plyler of Durant. They were married in Bethany, OK on May 15, 1949. She preceded him in death in July of 2008. He attended the Flory Telegraph School and hired on with the MK and T (Missouri, Kansas and Texas) railroad in May of 1950 at Durant OK working the southern district as a tower operator. In 1951 he transferred to the northern district and worked as agent, operator, ticket agent and car distributor. The family moved to Parsons, KS in 1951 and John was promoted to train dispatcher in 1953 with the MK and T. The family then moved to Muskogee in 1958 when John went to work for the Midland Valley Railroad as a dispatcher and continued working for the Missouri Pacific in 1964 when MOPAC bought the Midland Valley. He retired with Union Pacific in 1986 when the UP bought Missouri Pacific. To supplement his railroad income to support a family of eight, John sold encyclopedias, Kirby vacuum cleaners and then purchased ROC's Appliance in 1963 which became Cato Appliance. He and his late wife co-owned and operated the business for seven years. John loved to bowl and played on several leagues. He also served as PTA president at Jefferson and Franklin Elementary schools during the years of his children's educations. He and his late wife began square dancing in 1978 and were members of the Muskogee Swingers and Rounders dance groups. They traveled throughout the U.S. to participate in regional, state and national square dance competitions and conventions. He loved to call a square dance and also donated his time giving line dancing and square dance lessons to special interests groups in Muskogee. He was a master gardener, loved his pecan trees and had a special sauce for bar-b-ques. John is survived by six children: Cheryl Cato of Dallas, TX; Linda (David) Hill of Robinson, TX; Becki Cato of Salt Lake City, UT; John C. (Marlene Mannon) Cato of Jenks, OK; James (Teresa Hanzark) Cato of Bartlesville, OK and Cyndee (Bob Price) Cato of Tulsa, OK. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Jon David Renfro of Ft. Lee, VA; Melissa (Robert) Phan of Houston, TX; Dena (Dan) Gipson of Collinsville, IL; Tonya (Creighton) King of Salt Lake City, UT; Keith Cato of Oklahoma City, OK; Carla Cato of Oklahoma City, OK; Haley (Justin) Dean of The Woodlands, TX; April Cato Rollins of Oklahoma City, OK; Bethany Cato of Oklahoma City, OK; and Gregory Cato, serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Spokane, WA. His great-grandchildren are Andrea, Troy and Shelby Gipson; Allison and Amelia King, Darci and Aloha Chavez; Aiden and Lillie Dean and Xuelin Rollins. He also is survived by step-grandsons Dan (Gwenda) VanCleave and Josh (Selina) VanCleave of Bartlesville, OK and step-great-grandchildren Amelia VanCleave and Makenzi VanCleave. John also is survived by his sister, Marva Jean "Sis" Speers of Pontiac, MI and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he also was preceded in death by his father in 1929, his mother in 1981 and his brother, Joe Wayne Cato, who died in 1930 at age nine years. The family deeply appreciates the many friends, neighbors and family members, and especially Hometown Hospice, who supported, visited and cared for John and the family during his illness. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Fosters' Ivory Chapel, 904 W. Okmulgee. Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.
Published in the Muskogee Phoenix on 1/16/2009