Curtiss Cates passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 at FirstHealth Hospice in Pinehurst, NC.
He was born on May 13, 1934 to Addis Pittard Cates and Esther Curtiss Cates. He graduated from Faison High School in 1952 and was an Eagle Scout and a three-sport athlete. He graduated from Davidson College in 1956 where he was a member of the basketball team and the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Following two years of Army service stationed in Japan, Curtiss returned to Faison to work in the family business and to start a family. He later moved to Parkton, NC and then Hope Mills, NC. He served as elder at the Faison, Parkton and Hope Mills Presbyterian Churches. He was retired President of Addis Cates Company, a shipper of green/brined cucumbers to the pickle industry.
Curtiss enjoyed attending high school, college and professional sporting events his entire life. He also cheered on his children and grandchildren throughout their lives. His tennis game was stronger than his golf. He spent hours in the yard, but the moles bested him in the end. His passion was ice cream. He enjoyed the company of friends from all walks of life.
He is survived by his wife Monica. They were married and were constant companions for 36 years. He is also survived by his daughter Laura Robbins (Kevin) of Lockport, NY and their daughters Margaret Montgomery (Steve) of Wayne, Pa. and their son Colton; Mary Rachel Robbins of Reston, Va.; and Anna Robbins of Oak Park, Ill. Also son John Cates (Janee) of Southern Pines, NC and their sons Brice Cates (Taylor) of Jacksonville and their daughter Waylon; and Robert Cates of Jackson, Wy. He is survived as well by Monica’s daughters Lynne Tetroe, Dena Price and Jill McDougall and their families in Ontario, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Brooks and Tad, his son Charles Curtiss Cates, Jr. and his great-grandson Josiah Charles Montgomery.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm. Saturday, Jan. 25 at Faison Presbyterian Church, 507 West Main St., Faison. The family will receive friends afterwards in the church fellowship hall. A private burial will take place at Phillips Chapel United Methodist Church, Haw River, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Faison Presbyterian Church, PO Box 160, Faison, NC 28341 or Hope Mills Presbyterian Church, PO Box 298, Hope Mills, NC 28348.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
