Joseph Edward Cate

Joseph Cate, 62, of Kingsport, died Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. He was born August 6, 1947 in Johnson City, and grew up in Fall Branch. He graduated from Hixson High School in Chattanooga in 1968, and was drafted into the U.S. Army the same year. He remained in the military from 1968 until 1980 as a Military Policeman, earning the rank of SFC.
While still in the service he earned a B.A. degree 1978 from the University of Maryland at Heidelburg, Germany. He worked in marketing until earning a Master of City Management degree from East Tennessee State University in 1982. He then worked as a Town Administrator and consultant for several years until his health declined. He later worked in security before retiring in 2004.
To know Joe was to love Joe. He was the best husband, father, and grandfather you could hope for. He loved UT football, science fiction, and military history, especially the Civil War.
Joe gave nicknames to anyone who became special to him. He loved a good story, and had a unique sense of humor. He was a special man who would begin each day by going outside to feed his birds and squirrels. He will be missed by everyone who loved him.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita S. Avery; sister, Barbara Tolbert; and aunts, Marie Sampson and Viola Walker.
He is survived by his wife, Eloise Cookie Cate; son, John S. Cate; daughter Danielle M. Gilmore and husband Joseph; grandchildren, Kara Jayne Gilmore, Joe-Joe Gilmore, and Joseph Robertson; mother-in-law, Mary B. Baldwin; brothers-in-law, Steve Baldwin, Mark Baldwin and wife Chris; sisters-in-law, Mary Penny Johnson and husband Al, Stephanie Taylor and husband Richard, and Laura Powell; special aunt, Juanita Fogle; adopted aunt, Shirley Byrd; special cousins, Linda Palmer, Sandra Deakins and husband Jerry, Mark Walker, Joy Breeden, and H. Duane Shoun; nieces, Virginia Talbot and Melanie Talbot; special nephews, Nicky, Austin, Heath, Jeremiah, and Matthew; special nieces Jennifer, Ally, Hayley, and Harper; and other cousins.
The family will receive friends at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home from 12:00 noon until 2 p.m. Saturday. Services will be conducted at 2:00 in the Chapel, with Pastor Tommy Brown officiating.
Graveside services will follow at Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Baldwin, Steve Baldwin, Richard Taylor, Jimmy Salyards, Joseph Gilmore, and Al Johnson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 500 Princeton Road, Suite #102, Johnson City, TN 37601; the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee, 4450 Walker Boulevard, Suite #2, Knoxville, TN 37917-1523; or Paralyzed Veterans of America Association, Wilton, NH 03086.