Talmadge Louis Cates, age 82, passed away February 7, 2025, in Fairfield, TX, at Fairview Nursing Home, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was born November 5, 1942, in Wichita Falls, TX, to Talmadge A. and Maud B. Cates, and grew up in Tyler, TX.
Throughout his educational journey, Talmadge was known to be an excellent student and athlete, staying busy in many activities including Boy Scouts, having become the proud recipient of the highest rank of Eagle Scout. During high school he played basketball and baseball and was able to pursue both passions well into his college years.
After graduating from John Tyler High School in 1961, he played basketball while attending Tyler Jr. College and then received a baseball scholarship to Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, where he finished his education with a degree in Chemistry. He frequently shared how much he loved his years as a baseball pitcher, reflecting on his memories from little league through college, and was especially proud of being able to play for a brief time in the minor leagues.
After graduating from Centenary College, Talmadge worked as a chemist developing ink in a lab for Ennis Business Forms in Ennis, TX.
He then served as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1968-1972. He was always so proud of being a veteran and having served in the United States Navy.
Talmadge was able to live a full, rich life, pursuing many dreams, careers, and passions. Throughout the years he lived in many different places and worked in sales, in real estate, and in business.
In 1981, he moved to Freestone County, where he met and fell in love with Susan “Susie” Lawrence Awalt. They married on March 19, 1982, and were blessed to enjoy almost 43 years of marriage together.
Talmadge loved being part of the church and the community. He was active in Methodist Men, played church softball, volunteered at the church, and served as president of the Fairfield Rotary Club. He especially enjoyed coaching his kids on their t-ball and softball teams and creating special memories with their large, blended family, especially on summer trips to the beach.
In 1990, Talmadge was blessed to be able to fulfill his “Southwest Dream” by moving the family to Albuquerque, NM, where he began his hobby of building and selling custom furniture. While in New Mexico, he especially enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, golfing, hiking, and skiing as often as he could.
Talmadge enjoyed visiting with friends and bragging about his kids and grandkids and his beloved little lapdog, Roxie. He loved sharing his Navy stories, baseball stories, and golf stories, often reminiscing and reminding his friends about the time he shot a hole-in-one at the Freestone Country Club. Talmadge worked hard to instill his Christian faith and values into the lives of his children and those around him.
Talmadge was preceded in death by his parents, Talmadge A. and Maud, his youngest daughter, Laura Cates Budzinski, and parents-in-law, Richard M. (Dick) and Marie Lawrence.
He is survived by his wife, Susie, and children, Lynette Cates Jones, of Arlington, TX, Jennifer Cates Andjelic and husband Mike, of Livingston, TX, Sarah Cates Megale, of Galveston, TX, Sabrina Awalt Keller, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Andy Awalt and wife, Tracy, of Fairfield, TX, son-in-law Brad Budzinski, of Bentonville, AR; twelve grandchildren, Stephen (Natalie) & Brandon (Frances) Jones, Garrett & Abby Farley, Alexa, Adam, & Owen Megale, Cameron Budzinski, Evan and Ryan Keller, Lucas & Jacob Awalt; and three great-grandchildren, Ellie, Maddox, and Josie Jones.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Fairfield First United Methodist Church or charity of your choice.
A family visitation was held Saturday, February 22nd from 10-11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mike McDey officiating.
