Roy Dean Cates

Memorial services for Roy Dean “Dinky” Cates, 83, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Lufkin with Reverend Mark A. Newton officiating. A reception will follow in the Reich Chandler Great Hall. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Cates was born April 16, 1940 in Clawson, Texas to the late Lennie (Guffey) and Wallace Cates, and died Friday, September 22, 2023 in a local hospital.

Roy was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Lufkin, and he was also a member of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M.

He lived a long, happy life. He loved his family, church, watching basketball and playing golf. He played basketball for the Central Bulldogs and was on the State Championship basketball team. In the future, he would go on to attend the Texas State Basketball tournament for 30 years in a row with his group of friends, the “Austin Cartel”. He also loved attending SFA and Baylor basketball games.

Mr. Cates was involved with and coached youth baseball, even before he had a son. And he loved every minute of it. He was a longtime member of the Lufkin Country Club where he played in and won several golf tournaments. He was also a member of the 21 Club, Hayter Estate hunting club where he enjoyed spending time with his hunting buddies.

He later became heavily involved in the Lufkin High School Band Boosters and served as band booster president. Over his approximately 20 years in band boosters, he and Waymon Bullock achieved several things…new band uniforms in 1979 and the new band hall at what is now Lufkin Middle School (formerly Lufkin High School). He told Mr. Bullock that the band needed to show off their new uniforms. He proposed that the band march around the track into the stadium to the drum cadence. That’s a tradition that still exists. He loved being part of the band booster organization. He worked tirelessly to make sure the band had everything it needed and spent many hours in the concession stand.

During the time Mr. Cates worked for American General Life Insurance, he enjoyed the trips the company took. One of his proudest accomplishments was making the Million Dollar Roundtable. While at American General he made a host of friendships that would last the rest of his life.

Some of the people he was most proud of were his grandchildren. He logged hundreds, if not thousands, of miles going to baseball games and tournaments, band concerts and contests, and dance recitals. He saw The Nutcracker more times than he could count but wouldn’t have missed one single performance.

As mentioned before, Mr. Cates loved his church. He was a faithful member and served on several committees - the Personnel and Trustees as well as search committees. He loved his Sunday school class and every member in it. If he was your friend, he was your friend for life.

As his children, we could not have asked for a better father and role model. He had five pieces of advice that he called rules to live by…If it costs more than $5.00 wait 24 hours and see how bad you still need it; buy the small tea, refills are free; when in doubt, don’t; nothing good happens after midnight; and it’s my way or the highway.

He leaves a legacy of love and friendship for all that knew him. He always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Cates of Lufkin; daughter, Amy Ford and husband Rusty; daughter, Emily Jung and husband Ron; son, Dean Cates and wife Lesley; grandchildren, Aaron Jung, Blake Ford and wife Meagan, Gentry Ford and wife Carlie, Shelby Jung, Ethan Cates, and Phoebe Cates; great-grandchildren, Keily Ford and Kendall Ford; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters and brothers-in-law, Sue and Joe Thrailkill, and Sara and Jake Lyon.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Lufkin, 106 E Bremond Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.