Mark Cates

Mark Cates, 69, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 21, 2026, in Perryton, Texas.

Mark was born in Perryton, Texas to Gerald and Sharron Cates on September 20, 1956.  Mark began life in Beaver Co. at the Cates homeplace north of Booker, TX.  He attended Balko Elementary until Gerald and Sharron moved the family to their new home in Booker, TX.  Mark began attending Booker Elementary in the 1st grade.  Mark began roping calves in High School Rodeo and was quarterback throughout high school before graduating from Booker High School’s class of 1974.  Mark married Follett’s jump-shooting forward and his high school sweetheart, Kim Carroll, on August 7, 1976.  Mark completed his Bachelors in Ag. Business from Oklahoma Panhandle State University where he was also a member of the Panhandle State College Rodeo Team.  Mark continued roping calves professionally after college, filling his PRCA card on the Prairie Circuit.  Mark saw life outside of Lipscomb Co pulling his one-horse trailer to rope calves.  Mark tied down calves in every local arena to the big stops like Cheyenne Frontier Days, Denver, Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Coliseum and the Houston Astrodome.  Mark and Kim originally lived west of Booker on the Nichols’ place where they had their first child, Mathew, in 1981.  Later, in December of 1983, they had their oldest daughter, Leah.  They later moved to Aunt Allie (Smith’s) house south of Darrouzett and in May of 1985, received a special surprise, their youngest daughter, Jessica. 

Mark was known as a constant to everyone who has resided in Lipscomb County and Beaver County.  On the prairie where people still love the Lord and practice loving their neighbor, everyone collectively respected Mark Cates.  He embodied strength, hard work and discipline while also providing a sense of grace and calm for those in need.  He carried forward the Cates’ family’s ability to laugh at yourself, make a joke during the struggle and love others through your actions.  He served as county commissioner from 1998 to 2000.  He owned and operated Cates Feeders until 2026.  Mark farmed and ranched his entire life.  He worked in the oil field as a pumper and gas processing plant operator.  He said the hardest work of his life was selling insurance for A.L. Williams. 

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Cates, and mother, Sharron White Cates, sister-in-law, Betty Winters Cates, and 5 generations of Cates’ descendants of Beaver Co. and Lipscomb Co. 

Mark is survived by his wife, Kim Cates, of 49 years; son, Mathew Cates and his wife, Chelsi, and their five children, Tanner, Taos, Chesni, Swayzi and Steeley; daughter, Leah Terrell and her husband, Blake, and their two children, Wyatt and Everett; and daughter, Jessi Cates, of Fort Worth.  Other survivors are his younger brother, Monty Cates; nephews, Ty Cates and his wife, Gloria;  Trew Cates and his wife, Drew; nieces, Cassidy Cates Ricke, and her husband, Tyler; Maddie Cates Thompson and her husband Hadley; younger sister, Robin Cates Friskup, and her husband, Steve; nieces Kaci Morris and her husband, Justin; and Kelsy Ratliff and her husband, Jake.  Mark is further survived by a host of other great-nieces and nephews.