Jerry Walter Cates of Pittsboro N.C. died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at the age of 76.
Jerry was born in Person County, North Carolina on September 25, 1944 to the late Cooper Cates and Wilma Long Cates. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Billy.
Jerry retired as a supervisor from Gold Kist Farms in Pittsboro. He was a master working with his hands and had multiple talents. He bought and restored a vintage WWII era airplane. He spent many hours taking to the skies of Chatham County and “buzzing” over friends’ homes. As a craftsman and without any formal training, he designed and built his own home. As a carpenter, he made most of the furniture in it. As an artist, he learned how to weave baskets from raw, native white oak and many other handcrafted projects. As a musician, he could pick the banjo or strum a guitar, but “playin fiddle” by far, was his favorite. Jerry could even sing well. For he had a fine voice and recorded many country, gospel and bluegrass songs. Most folks knew him from his performances at the Bynum Front Porch get-togethers. However, everyone who knew Jerry Cates, knew him to be a good and fair man.
Surviving family includes his wife of 33 years, Lynn Rimmer Cates; son, Patrick Cates of Hillsborough, NC; granddaughter, Lauren Cates of Morrisville, NC; brothers, Richard Cates of Hurdle Mills, NC and Sandy Cates of Randleman, NC; sisters, Jackie Rimmer and Marie Cates, both of Roxboro, NC along with many colleagues and friends.
No formal memorial service is planned at this time due to COVID-19. We know friends will keep Lynn and the family in their thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorial contributions be made in Jerry's memory to Bynum Front Porch P.O. Box 381, Bynum, NC 27228
www.bynumfrontporch.org