of Little Rock, AR
August 26, 1923 - November 20, 2025
Reagan B. Cates, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 20, 2025 with family by his side, after a challenging year battling cancer. Reagan had just recently celebrated his 102nd birthday and had decades of relationships, experiences and knowledge to share. He was known for placing great value on his family of many generations; his respect for the Lord and His Word; his high regard for the military; his love of fishing and hunting and his kindness and generosity to those in need.
Reagan was the only child of Robert and Ruth Cates and the grandson of an East Texas pastor, with a host of Woods family members, who have carried on a legacy of serving the Lord across the world. Reagan grew up in Goose Creek, Texas where he met the love of his life, Jean Hanna. They were married on June 2, 1948 and celebrated 76 years of marriage, which in itself is such a rare testimony in today's world of loving commitment, tenacity and honoring one's word.
Reagan and Jean adopted 2 daughters, Regina and Rachel, and were devoted parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. As a dad, Reagan always supported and celebrated his daughters' gifts and academic or career pursuits. Reagan placed tremendous importance on family and deeply loved Chuck and Barbara; grandchildren, Justin and Hanna and great-grandsons, David, Reagan Gray, Caleb, Charlie, Silas and Samuel. Some of Reagan's happiest moments were spent around a table filled with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While he valued his immediate family greatly, he warmly welcomed so many whom were like family to him at meals and special holidays.
Reagan was also known for his generosity throughout his life. He had had the model of his parents feeding those without food during the Great Depression and caring for relatives in need of a family and home. Whether it was helping his employees in need; grandchildren pay for college; the Body of Christ at many locations; one of our friends or a neighbor without a home or resources, Reagan was quick to share. It brought him joy to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren freely share with others as well.
Reagan put great importance on education and had undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art and Business Psychology. Reagan was an artist throughout his life and drew and painted throughout college. He continued to use his artistic gifts as he took up stained glass in his 80s and fly-tying for decades. He began college at Baylor University and it delighted him greatly that both grandchildren ended up in college there as well. He completed his graduate studies at Southwestern in Texas, after serving in the military in WWII. Reagan and several of his friends immediately enlisted in the military upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor while he was at Baylor. He proudly served as a Marine and continued to have great honor and respect for all who have served our country in the military.
After his term in the Marines, he completed his Masters Degree and took a job teaching back in Wooster, Texas. It was there that he reconnected with his wife-to-be. After teaching for several years, Reagan worked in several business settings in East Texas, but spent the majority of his career as a co-owner of the very successful "Foss, Cates, and Hudson Insurance Agency" in Victoria, Texas. Reagan and Jean spent 55 years in Victoria and were well known for their involvement in the community. Reagan was a member of the Victoria School Board when his girls were in high school and instrumental in advocating for women's athletics. He was a long-time member of the Shriners in South Texas and felt strongly about contributing to his community and providing medical care for children in need.
Throughout Reagan's life he has been well known for his love of hunting and fishing. He hunted deer, quail and dove throughout South Texas and made occasional trips to hunt for bigger game in Wyoming. He was an avid bass fisherman for decades, but discovered a love of fly fishing after retirement. He found great joy in fly fishing the Little Red with his son-in-law, Chuck, as well as with his grandson, Justin and granddaughter, Hanna. With his artistic abilities and fine eye for detail and perfection, he became a master at tying flies as well. He tied hundreds for decorations at Justin and Adair's rehearsal dinner. For every great-grandson, he insisted on buying them a lifetime warranty fly rod when they were born. In some of his hardest times during the last months, it brought him joy to see pictures and videos of his grandson and great-grands enjoying fishing.
Throughout his life, he saw the great value of the Church and was a member of many different churches over his lifespan. He loved the liturgy of the Episcopal church; many of the hymns of his Baptist upbringing and the depth of study of the Word in a Presbyterian church; but found such tremendous family in a small East Texas Methodist Church when he and Jean moved to Marshall, Texas in their 80's. It was there that he continued to grow in the Body of Christ and made friends that have ministered to him until his last day on this earth.
At the age of 102, Reagan had incredible memory, insight and ability to recall and discuss major global events. He could still beat most at Cribbage. As a husband and father, he was a provider and protector and as a friend, he was devoted to the end. His stalwart presence will be sorely missed by so many. Reagan is survived by his daughters, Regina (Barbara) and Rachel (Chuck/Son); his grandchildren, Justin Morse (Adair) and Hanna Grenon (Josh) and his great-grandsons, David, Reagan Gray, Caleb, Charlie, Silas and Samuel.
For those who wish to celebrate his life, we ask that donations be made to one of the following charities that use fishing to encourage children in a variety of challenging places:
• "Fish to Make a Difference": a nonprofit that brings the fishing community together to provide healing and joyful experiences for critically ill children and their families.
• "We Can Fish": an organization that provides free, inclusive fishing experiences for children with disabilities and their families.
• "The Mayfly Project": an organization that mentors children in foster care through fly fishing, helping them build confidence, find healing, and connect with their local waters.