Walter Elmer Cates

CATESGREENSBORO Mr. Walter Elmer Cates, 85, a former resident of Durham, died on Friday, November 26, 2010.Mr. Cates was born in Durham on September 5, 1925. He was a World War II veteran of the U. S. Army Air Corps and retired after 35 years from Burlington Industries as an Electrical Engineer. He was a member of the Friendly Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vernelle Vaughan Cates and his mother, Dora Bell Baldwin Cates.He is survived by his son, Mark Cates and wife, Linda of Raleigh; daughter, Martha Lou Cates Gaskins of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Nichole Cates Miller and husband, Timothy of Palo Alta, California, Keri Cates of Princeton, N.C., Melissa Gaskins Johnson and husband, Afton of Richmond, April Gaskins of Richmond and a great-grandchild, Brooks Johnson.Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro followed by a graveside service at 3 p.m. in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Durham. Dr. Pat Cronin will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Duke Parkinson’s Clinic where Walter received care. Please make donations either by mail or online to the following. Alumni and Development Records, Duke University, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708-0581, specify: Designation: Duke Movements Disorders Program. In memory of Walter Cates or Online: Go to website: https://secure.giftrecords.duke.edu/daa; complete form and under category where you make designation of gift; Go to additional /other Designations and type “Movement Disorders Program” ; under Designation Comments: “In memory of Walter Cates.” Online condolences can be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com.