Carl William Cates, 89, of Elizabethton, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Edward and Amelia Crowe Cates.
Mr. Cates was a graduate of Elizabethton High School and East Tennessee State Teachers College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and a Master’s of Arts Degree. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. His first part-time teaching career was at Tennessee Military Institute; his first full-time job was Band Director for the Elizabethton City School System. He also worked part-time for the New York Central Railroad.
Carl started Cates Music Center, Johnson City, in 1966. He formerly was a member of First Christian Church where he served as choir director for a number of years. He was a charter member of East River Park Christian Church where he served as choir director for 27 years. He was an Elder and formerly served as Chairman of the Board.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Hazel Heaton, Pearl Calhoun and Charlotte Carter, and one brother, Clyde Cates.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Norma Nell Lowe Cates; two sons, Jeffrey Cates and wife Regina and Gregory Cates, all of Elizabethton; two grandchildren, Christopher Cates and wife Brandi and Josh Cates and wife Veronica; several nieces and nephews; his sisters-in-law, Helen Cates, Dorothy Peters and Alean Cooper and husband Don; and his brothers-in-law, Bob Carter, Raymond Calhoun and Howard Elliott.
A service to celebrate the life of Carl Cates will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Mr. John H. Smith and Mr. Lee Hunt, ministers, officiating. Music will be provided by Mr. David Arney, organist, and Mr. Scott Reynolds, pianist. The graveside service and interment will be at 10:45 a.m. Monday, March 12, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the cemetery at 10:35 a.m. Monday, will be Chris Cates, Josh Cates, Derrick Stanley, Jimmy Lowe, John Carter and James Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Leonard Peters, Raymond Calhoun, Don Cooper, Ted Colbaugh, Tom Mooney, employees and former employees of Cates Music Center, members of his Sunday School Class and Bill Feathers, teachers and his church family. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Carter County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Carl to the East River Park Christian Church, 1207 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 10:35 a.m. Monday. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Cates family.