Ronnie Cates, son of the late George Cates and Helen Benes Cates, was born on December 29, 1944 in Houston, Texas and departed this life on April 9, 2019 at the Puxico Nursing and Rehab Center in Puxico, Missouri at the age of 74 years.

Ronnie was a farm worker for Cates Orchard.  He was a member of the Dudley Baptist Church in Dudley, Missouri.  He loved trains, highways and traveling.  He was excited about the future I-57 expansion to Little Rock, Arkansas.  His eyes lit up when he saw a map.

He is survived by three sisters, Patti Kinnamon and her husband Asa of Bloomfield, Missouri, Bessie McRoy of Dudley, Missouri, and Janet Johns and her husband Kevin of Dudley, Missouri.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Timothy Cates.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jay Scribner officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Shelter Workshop, 1118 West Center Street, PO Box 505, Dexter, Missouri  63841

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.