Charles Robert Cates

Charles R. Cates, 75, Kansas City and Schell City, the only son and youngest child of Charles Edward and Mildred Beatrice (Smith) Cates, was born June 2, 1933, in Kansas City. He passed from this life on Sunday, May 24, 2009, in Kansas City.

Charlie attended school in Kansas City and was a graduate of Southeast High School. In the early 1950s he served for two years in the United States Army, serving his country with a tour in Germany. Shortly after his return home, Charlie was united in marriage to Shirley Joyce (Swartz) on Aug. 24, 1956, and to this union two children were born. Charlie was a union carpenter by trade and rose to become president of the Carpenters District Council of Kansas City. He was also a member of Carpenters Local Union #61, the Grandview Masonic Lodge #618 and was a 32nd degree member of the Ararat Shrine.

In his later years, Charlie’s favorite “occupation” was his vegetable and flower garden at the farm in Schell City. He planted over 20,000 tulip bulbs making a spectacular showcase for everyone to see. His vegetables were shared with many friends and neighbors through the years. But his very, very “favorite things” were his two grandchildren, the “apples of his eyes”, who he loved spending time with whenever he could.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Elaine Vincent.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley - of the home in Kansas City; his son, Randall Robert Cates – Kansas City; his daughter, Kristy Lynn Bircher, and her husband, Bernard – Excelsior Springs; two sisters, Mary Jane Proffitt – Nevada, and Winona Lewis, and her husband, Ed – Scottsdale, AZ; his two grandchildren, Cameron Charles Berfloff and Kylie Shaye Boone; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Services were held Thursday, May 28, in the Schell City Christian Church with Rev. Tom Pyle officiating. Masonic rites were offered by Lawrence Cripps, P.D.D.G.M. Pallbearers were Roger Dade Sr., Chuck Vincent, Terry McKinney, Walter Cates, Ken Davis, Larry Nichols and Bernard Bircher. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City. Arrangements were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City.