Bob Cates

Bobbie Gene Cates from Channing, Texas left this world with green grass and a four-inch rain, moving on too much greener pastures on May 6, 2025. Bob was born July 13, 1930, to Alvin and Nancy Fronk Cates, in Beaver, Oklahoma. At the age of two years, Bob’s granddad Will Cates gave him a heifer and a horse, which started his life in the cattle business. At an early age Bob’s most memorable time was spending the summer on a family ranch on the Pecos River east of Roswell, New Mexico. This started his love for the cowboy life.

Bob married Jimmie Lee Akridge August 5, 1956. They had two sons Will and Don. Bob worked at the Beaver Sale Barn and then moved to Boise City, Oklahoma working for Jay Rippy for twenty plus years, taking care of cattle on wheat, corn stocks and grass, in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.

On December 20, 1969, they lost their son Will to an accident, a loss that parents never get over.

While Bob loved working with cattle and horses, he learned the trade of Boot Making, and made boots for family, friends and famous people.

Bob retired from ranching and boot making and moved to Channing, Texas where he became interested in the XIT General Office and became the caretaker and historian for the XIT Office.

As much as Bob loved ranching and the cowboy life, he loved his wife Jimmie and his family more. He lived his life by example not talking about it. We pray that his life has touched your life as he has ours.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Akridge Cates; one son , Will Sherman Cates; his parents, Alvin and Nancy Fronk Cates; two sisters, Reola Cates Chastain and Delorse Cates Widener; two brothers, Dale and Gary Cates.

Bob leaves behind his son, Don and wife Cindi Cates; granddaughter, Layce Heaton; grandson, Kelly and wife Twyla Cates; eight great grandchildren, Keegan, Everlee, Eli, Sophee Heaton, Stetson, Kree, Laramie, and Hayes Cates; two sisters Marilyn and husband Larry Bright, Judy Harwell and husband Jess; brother, Dewayne and wife Vickie Cates; brother-in-law, Denis Widener, and a host of nieces and nephews.

“May your horses stay sound”

Bob and The Cates Family

In lieu of flower the family ask memorial be made in Bob’s name to Coon Memorial Hospice 210 E. Texas Blvd, Dalhart, TX 79022, XIT General Office PO Box 69, Channing, TX 79018, or Channing Cemetery PO Box 204, Channing, TX 79018.

Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday, May 10, 2025, at First Baptist Church Dalhart with Bob Miller, Pastor of Crossroads Country Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Channing Cemetery under the direction of Dalhart Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Viewing will be held 12 PM to 8 PM Thursday, May 8, 2025, and 10 AM to 8 PM Friday, May 9, 2025 at Dalhart Funeral Home.