Allen Ray Cates

          Funeral services for Allen Ray Cates, 76, of Lufkin, will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin with Bro. Jason Swallows officiating. Interment will follow at Rocky Hill Cemetery in Huntington.

          Mr. Cates was born on November 7, 1947, in Lufkin, Texas, to the late Odell Cates and Carolyn (Franklin) Cates, and passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Lufkin.

          Mr. Cates was a charismatic person that was full of humor. He loved to be around people and people loved to be around him. Mr. Cates enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling. One of his favorite places to visit was Branson, Missouri. His '68 red Chevrolet Corvette was the love of his life and he had so much fun putting her in car shows where together they won many trophies and plaques. He also loved family gatherings.

          He is survived by his wife, Freida Cates of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Niki Cates of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Pam Cates of Lufkin; grandchildren, Whitney, Hollyn, Carson, Cayden, Carter, and Lane; great-grandson, Braxton; brother and sister-in-law, J.C and Judy Barnett of Grapeland.

          Mr. Cates was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Oleta Beauchamp; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Danny Beauchamp and Brenda Sharp.

          Pallbearers will be Carson Cates, Cayden Cates, Carter Lair, Lane Lair, Tyler Pratt, Abraham Alvarado, Bobby Bates, and Braxton Pratt.

          Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Clark, Bobby Farrell, Bobby Colbert, Thomas Watson, and Johnny Swallows.

          Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Shafer Funeral Home.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.