Memorial services honoring the life of John “Johnny” Ryan Cates Jr. were held on September 29 at Old Pisgah Baptist Church with the Rev. Dean Johnson officiating and Brother Leon Manshack assisting. Burial followed in the Zion’s Rest Cemetery in Wallace. Johnny was born June 13, 1954 in McAllen, Texas to John Ryan Cates Sr. and Maggie Melvina Davis Cates, and entered into rest on September 21, 2018 at the age of 64. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Freddie Stutts. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Cates of Many; daughters, Stacy Seaman and husband, Waylon, Seaman of Marthaville and Sarah Cates and fiancé, Niarcos Martinez of Natchitoches; sister, Nancy Howie of Shreveport; sister-in-law, Diane Stutts; step-daughters, Gwen Simmons and husband, Bobby, of Robeline, Deanna Hilliard and husband, Kyle, of Marthaville, and Nina McCoy and husband, David, of Daingerfield, Texas; step-son, Byron McCormic of Many; grandchildren, Aliyah and Madison Martinez; and 15 step-grandchildren. Pallbearers honoring him were Randy Hilliard, Bubba Baxter, Ted Allen, Butch Rains and Ivy Jones.
July 12, 2026
