Thomas Henry Cato, devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend, died Thursday, November 14th, 2014. His caring spirit, strong faith and loving heart was his life’s foundation, and he passed away surrounded by a tight-knit family strengthened by that foundation every day of their lives.
Born in New Albany, MS on September 17, 1942, Tom moved to Jackson, MS when he was five and lived there until 1964. He graduated from Murrah High School in Jackson in 1960 and went on to attend Tulane University on a football scholarship. He both lettered and coached there before graduating with a BBA degree in January 1965. At this time, he received a US Army Officer’s 2nd Lt commission and was assigned to Seventh Army Headquarters in Stuggart, Germany, where he moved with his wife Joanne and firstborn child Hal.
Upon completion of his active duty in 1968, he moved home to Mississippi and entered the data processing business. He spent more than 40 years in this industry, watching it evolve from punched cards to the World Wide Web. He was a pioneer in the health care computer field and helped develop the first automated hospital billing systems. In 1969, Tom and his young family moved to Nashville, a city he loved for the rest of his life. He joined NLT Computer Services in 1971 and worked there for sixteen years, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of NLT Computer Services. After 16 successful years at Endata, he joined HCA and became its Chief Information Officer and a member of HCA’s senior management team for nearly 20 years. After completion of his military active duty, Tom continued to serve in the Army Reserves and retired after 24 years of service at the rank of Colonel.
He was blessed by being married for 51 years to his best friend and love of his life, Joanne. Anyone around Tom for any length of time knew that he would quickly let you know he was the luckiest man in the world for being married to such a woman. He was incredibly proud of their three children and their five grandchildren. He loved being a grandfather, attending their various functions, and serving as their number one fan.
Tom greatly enjoyed traveling with Joanne and their numerous friends, and was fortunate to visit many places around the world. He was a generous man, a friend to many and one who freely gave hours of his time—oftentimes deeply behind the scenes—to organizations and schools in Nashville. He was an active member of the Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry at St David’s and later as an active member of Christ Church Cathedral where he was a member of the finance committee, as well as co-chairing its Capital Campaign.
He is survived by his wife Joanne Gillespie Cato, children Hal Gillespie Cato, Thomas Heard Cato and wife Susanne Leake Cato, Cathie Cato Renken; Grandchildren Hunter Thomas Renken, Fletcher Cato Renken, Elgin Elizabeth Cato, Claire Gillespie Cato, and Thomas Henry Cato II all of Nashville, TN. Brother Robert Cato of Yazoo City, MS and sister Ann Price of Jackson, MS. The family wishes to thank their friends, neighbors, business colleagues, and all of the doctors and nurses that touched his life.
Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Thomas Frist, Jr., Steve Riven, David Wilds, Joe Goodman, Dr. Michael Burcham, Dr. John Sergent, Sam Owen, Paul Williamson, David Malone, and Dr. Gary Waltemath.
Family visitation will be held at Belle Meade Country Club, Sunday, November 16th from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Funeral service Monday, November 17th at 11:00 am at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Cato Family Advised Fund at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the proceeds of which will be used to create computer science and programming opportunities for low-income students in Nashville.
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