John Wayne Cates

John Wayne Cates, 82, lifelong resident of Biloxi, MS, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025. He was surrounded by his wife and family at the VA Hospice/Rehab Center.

John was a devout Catholic and educated in parochial schools, graduating from Notre Dame High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves. He was employed at Kennedy Marine and later the Beau Rivage.

He was a connoisseur of classic movies, the History Channel and military documentaries. John enjoyed camping and vacationing at Disney World with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed his lunches with his friends, Dave, Ray and Joey. John was an amateur mechanic repairing everything from lawn mowers to cars.

He was the son of the late Grace Grady Cates and Otis Cates and was preceded in death by his brother, Otis J. Cates.

John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gwen Tremmel Cates and his children, David Cates, Grant (Jana) Schetzer, Tracy (Dennis) Lamey and Ryan Cates; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Frances (Ronnie) Penn.

The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital, the VA, and the priests that ministered to him, especially Father Phil.

In lieu of flowers, John wished for donations to be made to St. Vincent DePaul Pharmacy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Francis Seelos Catholic Church in Biloxi on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm. Friends and family are welcome to visit from 12:00 pm until Mass time.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Wayne Cates.