Jean Sheherd Cates

Jean Shepherd Cates 77, of Amarillo died Tuesday April 28, 2015 in Amarillo Services will be at 10:00 AM Monday at Northside United Pentecostal Church with Roger Johnson, pastor officiating. Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM Monday at Channing Cemetery. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St Jean was born to Richard C. "Dick" Shepherd and Laura Virginia Garner on Jan. 25, 1938 in Turkey, TX. She had three brothers, Clyde, Red and Frank Shepherd and one sister Sue Cunningham. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Clyde Shepherd and Red Shepherd and a daughter-in-law Linette Cates. Jean married Wayne Cates March 1958 and this union was blessed with two sons Curtis Cates and Rusty Cates and one grandson Wade Cates all of Amarillo. Wayne worked for Bob Marrs at Stockman's Saddle Shop and Jean started Stamping Saddles for Bob. Later they owned and operated Cates Saddle Shop. Wayne made and Jean stamped a Bicentennial Saddle in 1976 now in the XIT Museum in Dalhart, TX. She taught Leather Stamping at TSTI Vocational School, 1973 to 1985 in Amarillo and also worked for AAA American Automobile Assoc. of Amarillo from 1987 to 2008. Jean was a Channing High School graduate. She and the C Bar C Chuck wagon Team of family members catered meals and competed in Chuck wagon Cook-Off's until present, winning numerous awards and prizes. Jean was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall Of Fame with her sister in Oct. 2014 in Ft. Worth, TX. They also compiled three Chuck wagon Cookbooks. She was a Trail Blazer, honest, trustworthy, quick to forgive and friendly to everyone. She worked hard all her life, and was a Pentecostal Church member and a blessing of a Mother, Sister, Grandma and a World Champion Chuck wagon Cook. Survivors include husband Wayne Cates, sons Curtis Cates and Rusty Cates and grandson Wade Cates. Amarillo, brother Frank Shepherd, sister Sue Cunningham, Hartley, brother-in-law Ricky Cates and Kenneth Cates, Amarillo, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Family suggest memorials to Channing Cemetery, Channing, TX. or Northside United Pentecostal Church, Amarillo, TX.