of Conway, AR

July 20, 1940 - February 28, 2019

Jimmy Cleo Cates, age 78 of Conway, Arkansas, formerly of Searcy County, Arkansas died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 28th, 2019 at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas leaving a spouse, children and grandchildren to mourn his passing. Jim was born at home on Bagley's Creek near Leslie, Arkansas on July 20th, 1940 to Stanley Cleo Cates and Willodean Burton Cates. He was the middle child between his two brothers, Bobby Joe and Tommy Jack.

Jim attended school at Leslie, Arkansas until he was 17. He decided to quit school and join the Army where he achieved his G.E.D. On August 27th, 1960 he married Betty Gail Passmore. They had two daughters, Cathy Lynn and Becky Rene. Jim chose to follow the trade of his father, uncles and brother and became an ironworker. He enjoyed driving stock cars and shooting pool. On April 4th, 1970 he married Linda Fraley Smedley. He adopted her two sons, Thomas L. and Robert W.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Dean Cates; two brothers, Bobby and Tommy; and grandson, Nicholas Colby Morrison.

Survivors include his wife Linda Cates of Conway; daughters, Cathy (Mark) Simmons of Leslie and Becky (Dean) Morrison of Mountain View; sons, Thomas (Allyson) Cates of Conway and Robert (Ana) Cates of San Diego, CA; six grandchildren, Ashley (Charles) King of Leslie, Nicole (Trey) Rainey of Mountain View, Cassy Morrison of Mountain View, Raechel (Joseph) Wren of OH, Celesta (James) Le of San Diego, CA, Melissa Cates of San Diego, CA, Jeremiah (Ronalynne) Cates of Japan and Josel (Kaye) Cates of Japan; and six great-grandchildren. Also left to mourn is another he called daughter, although non-biological she has been an integral part of his life since 1985, Paula Holland of Conway; two more grandchildren, Nathan and Erica of Conway; and two great-grandchildren. Each will have their memories of special moments and will know that one day they will be reunited. As long as a name continues to be spoken one is never gone.

Funeral services for Jim will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Jonathan Johnson and Bro. Tommy Jolly officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 till 2:00 PM preceding the service. Burial will follow in Elberta Cemetery near Leslie. Pallbearers will be Keith Cates, Patrick Cates, Charles King, Trey Rainey, Justin Sawyer and Eddie Treece. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Holland, Wade Sawyer, Ronny Loggains, Tim McManus and Arvella Kelley Jr.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com