Dewey Nelson Cates, at 90 of Maryville, IL, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

He was born November 15, 1932 in Cuba Landing, TN to the late Glennie and Alice (nee Little) Cates.  He graduated from McEwen High School then attended the VA Electronics Institute for Electronic Engineering.  He honorably served in the United States Air Force.

After serving in the Air Force, Dewey moved to Michigan where he met Barb, his wife of 65 years.  His job as an electronic technician and branch manager for Honeywell moved them to several cities before settling in the St. Louis area.  Through hard work and determination, he became an entrepreneur and owned two businesses prior to his retirement.

Dewey never met a stranger and truly enjoyed getting to know new people of all ages.  Many great memories and friends were made over the years and many of those were made while enjoying his favorite hobbies of golfing, fishing, and the occasional Vegas trip.  Most of all, he loved being a grandpa and spending time with his grandkids.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Louise (Dee) Parnell and Francis (Jim) Hotchkiss; and a brother, James (Cathy) Cates.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Barb (nee Scarborough) Cates, whom he married February 1, 1958; two sons:  Ken (Julie) Cates of Estero, FL and Dan (Lori Morgan) Cates of Ballwin, MO; a daughter, Susan (Jim) Frechman of Collinsville, IL; four grandsons:  Joshua Cates, Erich Frechman, Daniel Cates, and Joe Cates; a granddaughter, Breanna Frechman; two brothers:  George "Max" (Mary) Cates of MI and Dennis "Russell" (Brenda) Cates of TN; brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023 and 9 – 10 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023 both at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023 with Chaplain Ryan Harris officiating.  Burial with military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Maryville Fire Department and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.