Eural Fletcher Cates, 90 died Saturday at the Hospice Home at High Point. Born March 30, 1922 in Hillsborough, NC, he is a son of the late Emmett F. Cates and Vivian Lee Hicks Cates. His family moved to High Point in 1924. Mr. Cates was a veteran of the US Navy having served in World War II. He served in Norfolk, VA, Oakland CA, the Marshall Islands, the Carolines Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, England, France, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Africa and India. Mr. Cates was awarded the Purple Heart, American Area Ribbon, East Africa Theater, the Navy Commendation, Good Conduct and World War II Ribbons. Mr. Cates was a charter member of Rankin Memorial United Methodist Church of High Point. His working career spanned 37 years in the Hosiery industry as a textile executive. He was a member of the Industrial Management Club, Exchange Club, Elks Club, Moose Club, Pomponola Dance Club and was an avid golfer. In addition to his parents, Mr. Cates was preceded in death by nine siblings; Irby Cates, Dewey Cates, Bessie McCarn, Florence Grubb, Myrtle Cates, Luna Morgan, Jessie Thompson, Virgie Pearson and Estelle Robbins.
Mr. Cates is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Gardner Cates and three children; Constance Cates Beal and husband Danny of Trinity, Michael Cates and wife Amy of Greensboro and Phillip Cates and wife Toni of Raleigh. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Crystal Hepler, Christian Cates, Scott Cates, Zachary Cates, Jessica Spinale, Karen Wright and husband William and five great grandchildren; Joshua Hepler, Justin Hepler, Morgan Turner, Isaiah Turner and Ethan Turner. Additionally he is survived by a sister Ila Cates Oliver of Wilmington, brother-in-law Rossie Gardner and wife Ramona Gardner of High Point, and three nieces Dolores Cates Richardson, Donna McCarn Brown and husband Quinton Brown, and Sonja Oliver Nunn.
Funeral services for Mr. Cates will be held 3:00 pm Tuesday in the chapel of Cumby Family Funeral Service. Interment will follow in Floral Garden Memorial Park. The family will greet friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 2:00 until 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to the Building Fund of Rankin Memorial United Methodist Church, 314 Barker Avenue, High Point, NC 27262 or Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.