OREGON – Donald R. “Don” Cates, age 56, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 at his home near Oregon. He was born May 25, 1964 at the Martin Army Hospital in Fort Benning, Ga., the son to William R. “Bill” and Jayne L. (Hay) Cates.
He graduated from St. Charles (East) High School in 1982, De Pauw University in Greencastle, Indiana in 1986 with a degree in Sociology, and obtained his MBA from the University of Wisconsin in 1992. Don was a business analyst consultant. Don was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He loved to collect baseball cards and different beer cans. He had a passion for music and loved a good trivial quiz about music or sports. He loved the band Rush. He had a great interest in genealogy and was known for being inquisitive, a handyman, and was an organizer and planner. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and previously served on the Twin Rivers Council in St. Charles. He enjoyed traveling. His favorite candy was M&M’s.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Raymond and Judy Cates, and his maternal grandparents H. Donald and Louise Hay.
He is survived by his parents William and Jayne Cates of St. Charles, his 2 children Claire Cates of Chicago, Ian Cates of Aurora, and their mother Jennifer Obrecht, his sister Leanna (Keith) Hershey and nephews Kyle and Zach Hershey and other extended family.
A private graveside service will be held at the Lighthouse Cemetery near Oregon with the Rev. Matthew Smith pastor of the Lighthouse United Methodist Church officiating. There will also be a Celebration of Life gathering this summer in memory of Don. A memorial fund is established in Don’s name. Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Oregon assisted the family.
