Truman Sanford Cato passed away on Sunday morning June 11, 2017, at Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 96.

He was born June 25, 1920, to Louis Wesley (Bud) Cato and Valley May (Hughes) Cato at Greenbrier, Missouri.  He and Roma Lee Delay were married on March 1, 1946, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  She preceded him in death on October 3, 2002, after 56 years of marriage.

He was a member of Bethel General Baptist Church where he and Roma Lee served the Lord and his church family.  He taught his family to love Christ and love others both in his words and more importantly the way he lived his life.

He proudly served his country in World War II, from October 1941 to December 1945, serving in the European Theater.  Truman entered combat on Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 16, 1944, (“D +10”) and earned Bronze Service Stars and a Purple Heart for his service to his county.  He received a battlefield commission from General George S. Patton on June 9, 1945.  

Truman began working with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in 1954 and served as the Bollinger County Executive Director of the ASCS until his retirement in 1983.  He was also a part time farmer and served a number of terms on the Zalma School Board.  He was instrumental in the formation of Cross Trails Medical Center where he served on the board of directors since its inception in 1995.

Survivors include his daughter Debra Cato Dove and husband Gene of Highlandville, Missouri; his son Edwin T. (Eddie) Cato and wife Jeannie of Dexter; four grandchildren Jaime Bernhardt and husband Mark of Republic, Missouri; Chase Ridings and wife Chelsea of Nixa, Missouri; Bailey Cato Czupryk and husband Josh of Memphis, Tennessee; Andrew Cato and Elyce Cagle of Columbia, Missouri; two great grandchildren, Faith Romalee Bernhardt and Grayson Tadeusz Czupryk.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and two brothers, Dale W. Cato and Ale C. Cato.

Friends may call on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Morgan Funeral Home in Advance, Missouri.  

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at 10:00 AM at the Morgan Funeral Home with Bro. Jeff Roth and Bro. Ray Placher officiating.

Interment will follow in the Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery in Marble Hill, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethel General Baptist Church, Advance, Missouri.