Obituary of Larry Cates

Larry Eugene Cates, age 62, of Coweta departed this life on Friday, August 27, 2010 at his residence in Coweta, OK. He was born on February 9, 1948 in Okemah, OK to Lewis Eugene and Freda (Barnhart) Cates. Larry was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and grandfather to his family and a great friend to many. He attended school in Coweta and graduated from Coweta High School in 1966 and also attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 5, 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1970. Larry served in the Vietnam War for 13 months. Larry and Cecilia McDaniel were married on August 25, 1971 in Muskogee, OK. He worked as a laboratory technician at Blue Circle Cement Company in Tulsa, OK for 20 years until he retired in 1991. Larry was a member at the First Baptist Church of Coweta. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #226 in Coweta. Larry was a very generous man and was very musically talented. He liked listening to bluegrass music. He enjoyed his corvettes, hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, and loved his dogs and his grandchildren. Larry is lovingly survived by his wife of 39 years, Cecilia of the home; his three daughters, Kimberly Counts and her husband, Tommie, of Broken Arrow, OK, Christina Carole Hampton and her husband, Philip, of Moore, OK, and Cassandra Jean Cates of the home; his parents Lewis Eugene “Gene” and Freda Cates; his sister, Carole Carter and her husband, Phillip, of Coweta, OK; eight grandchildren, Courtney Counts, Madeline Counts, Chloe Counts, Anna Counts, Jacob Foutch, Sarah Foutch, Nolan Hampton, and Emily Hampton; his aunt, Alyine Walkup; his mother-in-law, Cecile McDaniel; his brother and sister-in-laws; and numerous cousins and other family members. Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents, W. I. and Laudra Cates and John F. and Spray Barnhart, his uncle, U.S. Navy Commander Gus V. Cates, his uncle, Theodore Cates, his father-in-law, Edward McDaniel, and a special friend, Harold J. Watkins. Funeral services for Larry will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Coweta with Rev. David Jones officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery in Okemah, OK. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences to Larry’s family online @ www.wrightfh.net. The family of Larry Cates entrusted his care & services to Wright Funeral Home, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, (918) 486-5515. Pallbearers are Tommie Counts, Robert McDaniel, Danny McDaniel, Mike McDaniel, Junior Walkup, and Michael Ray McDaniel. Honorary Pallbearers are Phillip Carter, Philip Hampton, and LaVern Dobbins.