Clifford A. Cates

Funeral services for Clifford A. Cates, 93, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Joe Stanley, Brother Troy Christmas and Brother Ronnie Lusk officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow in the Sims (Rocky Hill) Cemetery.

Mr. Cates was born February 14, 1921 in Marquez, Texas to Monroe and Lila Viva (Veteto) Cates, and died Sunday, December 21, 2014 in a local hospital.

Mr. Cates attended the Rocky Hill School and was a longtime resident of the Ewing and Rocky Hill Communities in Angelina County. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a retired foreman of A&NR Railroad. He operated his own television repair shop in his spare time, until transistors began replacing vacuum tubes. Mr. Cates loved to sing and often spontaneously entertained his fellow residents at PineCrest Assisted Living and at Grace Care Center. He enjoyed fishing, hunting squirrels, playing 42, and playing in the snow. Mr. Cates was a member of Salem Baptist Church and had previously been a member of Rocky Hill Baptist Church. Most recently, he had attended First United Pentecostal Church with his daughter, Darlene.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Darlene Modisette of Lufkin, Patsy and Dennis Modisette of Diboll and Wanda and Lynn Clark of Lufkin; grandchildren and spouses, Kim and Randy Matthews of Lufkin, Sarah and Dennis Wilson of Hobbs, New Mexico, Sandy and Troy Christmas of Lufkin, Eric and Bekah Modisette of Splendora, Keith Modisette, U.S. Navy, serving in Japan, Josh and Rose Clark of Corvallis, Oregon, Rachel and Brett Burnett of Henderson, Alison and Russell Daniel of Spring, Jared Clark of Lufkin, Sarah Clark of Tyler, David Clark of College Station, Rebekah and Jared Bergeron of Henderson, and Joseph Clark of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Dustin, Ashley and Nathan Matthews, Katey and Ray Wilson, Austin, Kyle and Chloe Christmas, Jordan and Jacob Modisette, Beth and Ben Clark, Caleb and Luke Burnett, and Michelle Bergeron; sisters, Doris Griggs and Myrl McNamara, both of Lufkin; sister-in-law, Nell Sessions of Lufkin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lewis and Helen Temple of Lufkin; brother-in-law, Paul Temple of Mansfield, Louisiana; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 48 years, Alice Cates; wife of eight years, Ruth Cates; son-in-law, Jerry K. Modisette; sisters, Essie Jones, Thelma Morgan and Billie Mae Moss; and brothers, Odell Cates, Earl Cates, Robert Cates and Jessie Willard Cates.

Pallbearers will be Randy Matthews, Dennis Wilson, Eric Modisette, Jared Clark, David Clark, Joseph Clark and Keith Modisette.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.