James Earl Cates

Earl Cates

James Earl Cates, 91, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, died January 18, 2010, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born to Samuel Arthur and Iva McCollough Cates on September 22, 1918. He was a farmer, making a living on the land that has been in his family for over one hundred years at Hogeye, Arkansas. He raised dairy and beef cattle, horses, broiler chickens, and

turkeys.

He attended Shady Grove School and Prairie Grove High School, graduating in 1936. He was a World War II Army veteran, honorably discharged with 3 ½ years service in the European Theatre of Operations. He was awarded 7 Bronze Stars for the seven major campaigns he fought in, (Tunisian; Rhineland; Ardennes; Central Europe; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; and Southern France.)

He was instrumental in obtaining the funding for the road to be paved between Prairie Grove and West Fork. He served on the Washington County Soil Conservation Board and as an election official of Valley Township. He attended the Prairie Grove United Methodist Church. He loved to play baseball and as a young man, played on community teams in the 1930's-50's.

Earl was known as a man in the community that others called on for help in time of trouble. In fact, he played a part in saving a little girl’s life in 1962. The 18 month old had fallen into a neighbor’s old hand-dug well. Earl and his brother, Bill, had to work quickly to lower Mr. Cates into the well, retrieve the submerged child, and then race by private vehicle over 6 miles to the Elizabeth Hospital in Prairie Grove. The child lived, a true miracle.

Earl married Erin Hill Cates on September 29, 1949. After 51 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on November 14, 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred Davis Cates, whom he married July 14, 2008, and his three daughters, Lyna Medlock, and her husband, Dan of Germantown, Tennessee; Mary Jane Silva, and her husband, Jeff, of Fayetteville; and Lisa Conner, and her husband, Max, of Prairie Grove.

He is also survived by his siblings; one sister, Maudileen Cates Bartholomew, of Hogeye; and two brothers, Bill Cates of Beebe, Arkansas and Gene Cates of Hogeye.

Other survivors include grandchildren: Rebecca Medlock Wright, and her husband, Birch of Fayetteville; David Medlock of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Steven Medlock of Germantown, Tennessee; Rachel Silva of Little Rock; Jordan Silva and Evan Silva of Fayetteville; Laura Conner and Amy Conner of Fayetteville, and Jessica St. Clair of Prairie Grove.

Also two great grandchildren: Parker and Caroline Wright of Fayetteville.

Pallbearers will be Billy Don Cates, Birch Wright, David Medlock, Steven Medlock, Jordan Silva and Evan Silva.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his granddaughters.

Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Luginbuel Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 10:00 A.M. at the Farmington United Methodist Church, 355 Southwinds Rd, Farmington, Arkansas. Interment will be in the Rutherford Cemetery near Hogeye, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rutherford Cemetery Fund, c/o 8010 West Wedington Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704.

Arrangements are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. To sign the online guest book visit, www.luginbuel.com