Jacob A. Cates was born January 7, 1937, in Indianola, Mississippi to Joe and Mary Lou (Williams) Cates. He graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in Beloit, WI. He went on to attend Columbia College in Chicago, IL. At the age of twelve he moved to Chicago, IL to live with his sister Nettie, soon after he went to Beloit, WI to live with his sister Josie. After high school he worked at Fairbanks Morse, as a skilled tradesman for 8 years. He then went on to work for the Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere, IL, soon becoming the Financial Secretary for the UAW (United Automobile Workers Union) for many years managing the contributions of its members and fighting for workers' rights. Later, Jacob studied to become a Certified Employee Assistant, serving the workers at Chrysler through counseling and assisting them with accessing worker’s benefits. Early in life, he gave his life to Jesus Christ and served The Church of Christ, first becoming an Elder, serving as a Bible School Teacher, visiting the sick and delinquent members, later serving as a Preacher, retiring in 2020.
Jacob departed this life on August 9, 2024, leaving to cherish his memory, daughters, Victoria (Leroy) Robinson, Cheryl Woods, Dyanne (Donnie) Listenbee, Nicole (Damon) Fox, and son Jacob Cates Jr.; Grand Children DuChein Fox, Sahara Fox and Elijah Cates as well a host of additional grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by sisters, Essie (John) Glass, Nettie (James) Green, Josie Grady, brothers, Bobby Cates, Willie (Pennie) Davis, Clevester Davis, Benjamin Davis, William Davis, and his parents with one surviving sister-in-law, Mae Cates.
