Joe Cates was born near Hammon, Oklahoma on October 6, 1919, one of five children to Jess & Sudie Cates. He passed away on February 25, 2011 at the age of 91 years. Joe spent most of his early years farming, ranching and working at the families grocery stores. At the age of seventeen, his father Jess hired Pauline Trent to work at their grocery store in Hammon. Jess sent Joe to pick her up for work and they went on their first date that very night. Their romance took off; Joe and Pauline were married two months later on September 10, 1938. In 1942, a son, Kenneth Wayne was born to Joe and Pauline. They both worked in Hammon until Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1944 during World War II. He served in the 285th Combat Engineers in the European Theatre.

In 1947, Joe and Pauline moved to Leedey to run the family's IGA store. Their second son, Kevin was born in 1952 completing their family. After Joe's mother's death in 1957, He and Pauline purchased the IGA and renamed the store the Leedey Locker. They worked side by side in this store until 1983 when Kevin purchased the store. Joe and Kevin then continued the Cates family grocery business until 1999, when Joe retired at the age of 80.

Joe was an important part of the Leedey community for many years. He cared deeply about this community. His strong business skills and work ethic have been and will continue to be passed on for generations. Joe was a member of the First Baptist Church of Leedey, where he was very active for many years as a regular attendee, Sunday school teacher and Sunday School Superintendant.

Joe was able to remain in Leedey for most of his life thanks to the help of Trudy Martin. She was a tremendous blessing to the Cates family during Joe's last years. He spent his last days being cared for by Dr. Perkins and his staff, as well as the staff of Bell Avenue Nursing Center. Joe was very appreciative and grateful to all that cared for him.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline; son, Kenneth Wayne; parents, Jess and Sudie; siblings, Gladys, Lee, and Nina. He is survived by his son Kevin Cates; one sister Beatrice Dean; grandchildren, Dennis, Daphne, Justin, Brandy, Shandy, and Landon; great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Jacob, Mandy, Josh, Jacie, Jaden, Lauren and Trent, and numerous family and friends that will continue to celebrate his life.