Thomas “Tommy” H. Cates, 88, of Madisonville, KY passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville.
He was born on April 23, 1936, in Nebo, KY, to the late Minnie Hillyard Cates and Walter A. Cates. Tommy was a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserves. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was formerly a coal miner at Pyro Mining in Union County, Zeigler Coal Company in Madisonville and Illinois, Green River Coal Company in Anton, and Eagle Valley Mines in Illinois. He enjoyed watching UK Basketball and was an avid bowler. Tommy was a member of First Church of God in Madisonville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Neal Cates; and his sister, Colleen Knight.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-seven years Barbara Dunbar Cates; son, Terry (Shelley) Cates of Madisonville; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Bro. Robert White officiating. Burial to follow at Union Cemetery in Nebo, KY.
A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour Wednesday at the funeral home.
The pallbearers are David Sorrel, Danny White, Jim Hendrix, Steve Starr, Daniel Martz and Grayling Crowley.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.harrisfuneralinc.com
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