Austin Cates

"The man. The myth. The legend. The Cates. A man who was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all the lives he has impacted. Austin completed a tour in Kuwait as a member of the 2/142nd at Camp Chaffee, and he completed a tour to Afghanistan as a member of the 1/221st Armored Calvary TAC Team, and he served as 25 CMF Instructor at Camp Robinson as a member of the 233rd RTI. Austin Cates led a life full of love and laughter. He loved marathons and tough mudders, and he cycled from South Carolina to Los Angeles, CA to ride for the Vets. He loved to travel, and he loved his dogs, Benelli and Lola. He loved his family and friends. No matter what the circumstances were, he always persevered. He was a treasure of a person. Austin has left this world October 22, 2017, to join all the other heroes in Heaven and is finally reunited with his mother (Dayna Richmond) and grandfather (Harold Richmond)."

Austin is survived by his father, Robert Cates, II and his wife Rene of Fort Smith; one sister, Eaven Cates Ward and her husband Chris of Greenwood, AR; one step-sister, Megan McDonald of Fayetteville, AR; one nephew, Aiden Ward; one niece, Ayla Ward; Maternal Grandmother, Wilda Ginn and her husband Kelly of Heber Springs, AR; Paternal grandparents, Bob and Beverly Cates of Fort Smith.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Friday, October 27, 2017, in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Chaplain Michael Collins, with burial to follow at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the West room at the River Front Pavillion.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Chris Ward, James Anderson, Colton Howard, Cody Yancy, Matt Spears, Jeremy Gordon, Ron Darland and Phuong Pham.

Memorials may be sent to the Sebastian County Humane Society, 3800 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith, AR 72904. Donations to the Austin Cates funeral fund may be made an any Arvest Bank.

Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com