A funeral service for James Earl Cates, 84, of Avinger, Texas will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2025, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home.

James was born on August 13, 1940, in Cass County, Texas to Chester Earl Cates and Josephine Bonv Cates and passed away on June 5, 2025, in Tennessee Colony, Texas.

He retired from the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. He enjoyed catching catfish all night long. He did not like cleaning them so he would bring them home and run water in the bathtub so his mother would find them and clean them. He scared his sister's horse by tying him to a ladder and he pulled it down and scared the horse to death. He was definitely a bit of a prankster.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Josephine Cates; his wife, Juanita Cates and brother, Michael Mayfield.

He is survived by his children, Michell AKA Misty and husband, James, Mark Cates and wife, Ginger and Mike Cates and wife, Lisa; brother, Daniel Wallace Mayfield and wife, Diane; sister, Bettye Peterson and husband, Ronny and grandchild, Victoria Cates along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his honor to Lake O' The Pines Baptist Church Building Fund.