Neal Cates
Neal Alan Cates of Kingfi sher passed from this life on April 10, 2024, at his home, surrounded by loving family members.
Neal was born May 12, 1946, on Mother’s Day, to Vollie and Estelle Surber Cates.
Neal and older brothers, Alfred and Vernon, were raised in the Carbon Black Camp in Lefors, Texas.
He attended school at Lefors and graduated high school in 1964. He excelled in football, basketball, track, band and several other extracurricular activities.
While there he met his lifelong friends and partners in crime: the late James Alexander, Terry Bromlow, Don McCool and Phil Woodring.
He also grew up with Betty Sue Lewis Harris, whom he called his sister as they shared the same birthday.
On Feb. 13, 1965, Neal married Cynthia Howe. To this union three children were born: Annette, Brent and Aaron.
In 1981 the family moved to the beautiful city of Kingfi sher where Neal used his welding skills to work in the Oklahoma oilfield.
The children became involved in school activities, where the boys excelled in football and wrestling like their dad. They all are Kingfisher High School graduates and Annette’s children followed later to also become KHS grads.
On Dec. 17, 1999, Neal married Judey Randall. Their blended children consisted of six total: Each having two boys and one girl and each having a son who became a doctor.
Neal loved family get-togethers and lived for them, especially OU and Dallas Cowboys football games. They averaged getting together about once a month just to see each other.
Judey and Cynthia became great friends and told the nurses one day they were sister wives.
Neal was very active in the Kingfisher Elks Lodge No. 2416. He went through three offices and then began Exalted Ruler. He served three terms and was then a trustee and a lifetime member.
Neal continued working as an independent pipeline welder. A few years before he retired, he became a pipeline inspector, which he really enjoyed.
It was a lot easier on his knees and back than crawling around on the ground, welding at awkward angles.
Neal is survived by his wife Judey Cates of the home; his first wife, Cynthia Wade and husband Steve of Oklahoma City; children Annette VanCleave and husband Mike of Kingfisher, Brent Cates and wife Jessica of Cashion, Dr. Aaron Cates and wife Julie of Edmond, David Randall and wife Mary of Geary, Dr. Steve Randall and wife Amy Randall of Oklahoma City, and Jamie Schimmels and husband Gary of Yukon; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren on the way.
A celebration of life will be held at the Kingfisher Elks Lodge (Elks Avenue and State Highway 33) at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
The family asks donations in Neal’s memory may be made to Russell-Murray Hospice of Kingfisher, 202 N. Main St., Kingfisher, OK 73750.
Special thanks to the angels called nurses and aides from hospice. They cared for Neal for over a year and treated him and Judey like they were family.