- Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
- Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Harrell Funeral Home-Austin [Map]
- Name: Durward Hampton Cates, 82
- Died: Monday, February 08, 2010, in Austin, Texas
- Durward Hampton Cates died on Monday, February 8, 2010 in his home in Manchaca, Texas. He was 82.
Durward was born in Trumbull, Texas on May 17, 1927. He was the middle child of seven children born to Harry Louis and Bobbye Edith Cates. He entered the Navy toward the end of World War II and also served during the Korean War. He married Margaret Nell Janes on October 17, 1952. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Bible from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
He was an electrical engineer in the aeronautics industry and was involved in developing the training aircraft for the first space shuttle. After retiring from engineering, he worked for a short time with his brother George and the National Federation of Independent Business. He then meshed two of his loves, Baylor University and electrical engineering, when he joined the faculty of Baylor's new engineering school.
In 1994, he retired to a couple of acres in Manchaca where he worked just as hard at retirement as he had as an engineer.
Durward was a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and an off and on again lay preacher. He loved the Lord, his family, and his friends, and fellowship with any and all. The final years of his life were dedicated to his family and his Sunday School class at Manchaca Baptist Church--aptly called the Fellowship Class.
His smiles, hugs, laughter, and love will be cherished memories and he will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Jetta Kay, and his brothers, Harry Louis Cates, Jr. and George Truett Cates.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret Nell; his sons, Durward, Jr. (Drifty) and wife Karen, T. Bradley and wife Linda, and Samuel Reid and wife Melissa; and his daughters, Bettejim and Jo Nell. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Angie Cates Boone (husband Cameron), Alaina Cates Torrey (husband Joshua), Ally, Durward III, Eric, Lily, and Ella Reid.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Manchaca Baptist Church.
Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 12, 2010, Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, TX.
Memorial contributions may be made to Manchaca Baptist Church or Round Rock Baptist Children's Home.
4435 Frontier Trail
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 443-1366
;)
Visitation Schedule
Service Schedule
- Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Location: Manchaca Baptist Church
- Additional Info: 1010 F M 1626, Manchaca, TX
Burial Schedule
- Date: Friday, February 12, 2010
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Location: Oakwood Cemetery
- Additional Info: Waco, Texas
