Dr. Donald C. Cates

Dr. Donald C. Cates, a resident of Placitas, NM for the past 23 years, died Friday, July 18, 2014, just shy of his 90th birthday. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Shirley; daughters, Candace Cavellier and husband, Tim of Corrales, NM, and Kimberly Driskill of Los Lunas, NM; four grandchildren, Bevin Walker and husband, Jeramie, Cole Driskill, Allegra Driskill, and Natalie Cavellier; four great-grandchildren, Jennavieve, Juliette, Josseline, and Bennett Walker; sister-in-law, Betty Cates of Illinois; and other relatives and friends. Dr. Cates was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Alice Coolley Cates; and one brother, Richard Cates. Dr. Cates was born in Oak Park, IL on July 24, 1924, the first son of Kenneth and Alice Cates. He graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School in 1942 and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL before entering the United States Army in 1943 where he proudly served in the Medical Corp. He attended Washington University Dental School in St. Louis, MO and graduated in 1948. Dr. Cates served his internship at Brook Army General Hospital at Ft. Sam in Houston, TX and in 1949 became Captain in the Dental Corp. He married Lt. Shirley M. Notter at Ft. Sam Houston Chapel on July 31, 1949. He served in the Korean War, receiving the Korean Service Medal, Korean Medal, Combat Medical Badge and two battle stars before returning to the states where he was at Percy Jones General Army Hospital until his discharge in 1954. Dr. Cates then entered private dental practice in Geneva, IL where he practiced for 40 years until retiring. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, the Zoning Board for three years, school board member for nine and a half years as a member and president of the Lions Club. Dr. Cates also was a member of the Methodist Church, President of the Men's Club, and member of the Geneva Masonic Lodge No. 139 where he was Master. He was also a member of the Fox Valley Shrine Club, the Scottish Rite, and the Medina Temple in Chicago, IL. After retiring to New Mexico, he was a member of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Center serving as President and Captain of the Patrol Unit. Dr. Cates enjoyed golf, traveling, and gardening. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 26, 2014, 10:30 a.m., at the Ballut Abyad Shrine Center, 6600 Zuni Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Cates’ name to the Shrine Patrol at Ballut Abyad Shrine Center. FRENCH – Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

Dr. Donald C. Cates

July 24, 1924 - July 18, 2014