Clarence "Ed" Cate

Farrar Funeral Home- Dandridge

Clarence Edward "Ed” Cate, Jr., age 77, of Maryville, Tennessee, passed away on March 18, 2024, following a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on November 1, 1946, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville. Ed graduated from South High School in 1965 and later graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1970. He dedicated his career to serving the community through his work at Cate-Gentry Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy. He also served his country with honor as a member of the US Army Reserve. Ed had many interests and hobbies outside of his professional life. As a child, he was a Cub Scout, played the tuba in the school band, delivered newspapers on his bicycle, and enjoyed trips to the family farm to spend time with his uncle and aunt, Ben and Mary Nell Seahorn. As an adult, Ed found continued joy in playing the tuba in the Knoxville Community Band and was a regular participant in the annual Tuba Christmas event in Harriman. He was a fan of UT football and the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. He continued to ride his bicycle for exercise and enjoyment past his 70^th birthday. He also had a life-long love of anything on four wheels, including muscle cars and four-wheel drive vehicles. This passion was evidenced by his 2008 Dodge Challenger and his 1978 International Scout II. Ed regularly attended Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the handbell choir. Ed is survived by his sons, Matthew Cate and wife Mary of Seymour, TN, and Jonathan Cate of Atlanta, GA; his brother, John Cate of Chattanooga; brothers-in-law, Bill Thompson and wife Suzanne of Powell, TN, and Ron Thompson and wife Janet of Sarasota, FL; four nieces, one nephew, and a host of cousins. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Carol Thompson Cate and his parents Clarence Edward Cate, Sr., and Harriet Seahorn Cate. His family would like to extend their gratitude to the many special caregivers who took care of Ed in his final year of life, including Skip Wheeler and the entire staff at Clover Hill Senior Living in Maryville, Mary Walker, FNP-BC, of Blount Senior Care Partners, and Lisa and her colleagues at Gentiva Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to East Tennessee Children's Hospital Development Department, P.O. Box 15010 Knoxville, TN 37901-5010. Funeral services will be held Saturday March 23, 2024 at 4:00pm at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church with Rev. Rhonda Hobbs officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday 2:00pm to 4:00pm prior to the services at the church. Graveside interment will be held Monday March 25, 2024 at 11:00am at Seahorn’s Chapel Cemetery, Dandridge, TN.

 ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE, TN