Raymond Allen Cates, 71, died January 5, 2022, at his home in Haslet, Texas. He was born August 12, 1950, in Cushing, Oklahoma, the son of Vivan E. Cates and Thelma L. (Gower) Cates. Mr. Cates was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam Conflict.
On April 11, 1970, he married Rebecca Lynn Miller at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin, Kansas.
A resident of Haslet, since 1995, and previously living in Omaha, Nebraska, Smyrna, Tennesee, Phoenix, Arizona, and Bedford, Texas. Ray was a commercial and freight pilot for multiple companies. He spent his last 27 years flying as a Captain for United Parcel Service, flying international routes. He was also a Check Airman for UPS.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rebecca Cates of the home; a son, Jason Cates and wife Rebekah of Colwich, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Sean Cates and wife Lacey of Lubbock, Texas, Trevor Cates of JBER, Alaska, Brody Cates of Colwich, Kansas, Aubrey Cates of Boyd, Texas, Jayden Cates, Jaycee Cates, and Bella June Cates all of Colwich, Kansas; and three great-grandchildren, Austyn, Lakeyn, and Fordham of Lubbock, Texas; five siblings, Bruce( Craig) Cates of New Braunfels, Texas, Bob (Alvita) Cates of Claflin, Kansas, Steven (Susan) Cates of Emporia, Kansas, Myra (Mike) Prosser of Claflin, Kansas, and Barry (Kelly) Cates of Guyton, Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Travis Cates, a brother, Don Cates, nephew, Trevor Cates, and an infant sister, Deborah Ann Cates.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. and Vigil and Rosary to begin at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Clalfin, Kansas, celebrated by Father Terrance Klein. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Ray Cates Memorial Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.