Gene C. Cates

Gene C. Cates, age 93, of Norman, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020.  He was born June 7, 1927, on Oklahoma City, to the late Jasper Ross and Mary Moon Cates.  Gene served in the U.S. Army, and then graduated from the University of Oklahoma.  He was a petroleum engineer in the oil and gas industry and traveled all over the world with work and for pleasure.  Gene was an avid reader of history and current events.  His hobbies also included building kit cars, model airplanes, crytoqoute and Sudoku puzzles, fishing, watching John Wayne movies and eating ice cream and banana splits.  He was a fan of all OU sports, especially football.  Above all else, Gene loved his family, and he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Monica Cates; four sons, David Cates and wife Carla, Joel Cates and wife Kristine, Kevin Cates and Michael Cates; three daughters, Carol Cates, Carrilyn Kissinger and husband Brian, and Michelle Cates; seven grandchildren, Thomas, Sean, Erin, Marshall, Jackie, Kevin Charles and AJ; two great grandchildren, Nina and Lincoln; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by one grandson, Joey; two brothers, Joseph Ross Cates and Richard Cates; and one sister, Theda Hanus.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2020, at St. Thomas More University Parish, 1535 Jenkins Ave, Norman.  Interment will follow at Dripping Springs Cemetery in Noble.