Wayne Cates

Wayne Cates, 84, of Amarillo, passed away on October 27, 2023, in Amarillo.

Graveside services will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Channing Cemetery in Channing with J. R. Romero of Jubilee Apostolic Church of Amarillo, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory of Pampa.

Wayne was born on March 3, 1939, in Amarillo to Wilks and Georgia Cates. He grew up and attended school in Amarillo. He later married Jean Shepherd in March of 1958. Soon after they started their family, having two sons, Curtis and Rusty. They shared 57 years marriage before Jean preceded him in death in 2015.

Wayne worked as a cowboy right out of school at several ranches. Later, almost by accident, Wayne began his long profession of leather and saddle making. While looking for a job, he came across Stockman’s Saddle Shop, and he was asked to sign on. He would work there for ten years before he went to work for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association as a brand inspector from 1968 – 1973.

His passion for saddle making and leather never went away, so he started a position at TSTI Saddle & Tack where he mentored future saddle makers for 10 years. Wayne eventually would open his own business, naming it Cates Saddlery where he would make many custom saddles mainly for working cowboys. One of his and Jean’s crowning achievements was when one of their saddles, the Bicentennial Saddle, was entered into the XIT museum.

Wayne would later retire, and he spent a lot of his time helping care for Jean’s horses, and his game roosters. He was a hard-working man who was passionate about his son’s interests and encouraged and supported them to do their best. He will be missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his wife; and a daughter-in-law, Linette Cates.

Wayne is survived by his two sons, Curtis Cates, and Rusty Cates, both of Amarillo; a grandson, Wade Ryan Cates of Amarillo; two brothers, Ricky Cates and wife Veronica of Amarillo, and Kenneth Cates of South Carolina; a sister-in-law, Sue Cunningham of Hartley; and by many cousins and other family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Channing Cemetery, P.O. Box 204, Channing, TX 79018.