Leon Cates

Leon Daniel Cates, 79, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 24, 2015. He was a lifelong resident of the North Georgia area and studied with the Philadelphia Church of God. Leon could do or fix anything, he enjoyed building, mason work, gardening and just helping others. He retired from Forest Hills Cemetery in 2003 after more than 25 years of service and was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Emma Cates, and brother, Harvey Cates. Survivors include his loving wife of more than 61 years, Betty Jo Cates of Rising Fawn; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel (Becky) Cates of Rossville, Ga.; daughters and son-in-law, Becky (Daniel) Butler and Laura Cates all of Rising Fawn; two brothers and sister-in-law, Grandville Cates of Akron, Ohio, and Devoit (Pam) Cates of Chickamauga; three sisters and brother-in-law, Gwendolyn Blevins of Iowa, Doris Clark and Janice (Henry) Massey all of Rising Fawn; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and extended family. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015, in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Minister Darryl Lovelady officiating. Burial will follow in the Ascalon Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 26 p.m. Tuesday and prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.