Ronnie Cato

Ronnie Cato, 67, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, as he desired at his home with his family around him.

Ronnie was born in Gideon, Mo., to Oval Jay and Gladys Adams Cato. However, at the age of three Ronnie’s mother passed away and his beloved aunt and uncle, Curtis and Pearl Gooden Adams, took him in and raised Ronnie as their own son. To Ronnie they were his mother and father and helped him to become the man he was. Ronnie proudly served his country with honor in the United States Army before retiring in 1998. During his time of service, he was awarded numerous citations including the Army Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster twice awarded, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Sharpshooter Rifle Badge, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star, Army Lapel Button, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and The Kuwait Liberation Medal, Arkansas Component Achievement Medal - two times and the Arkansas Service Ribbon.

Ronnie possessed an undaunting work ethic and upon leaving the military, Ronnie used his extensive maintenance training to work for Tenaris until he retired. Ronnie was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved playing bingo and going to casinos. Knowing how valuable time was, his time spent with family meant everything to Ronnie. As a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather he made sure his love and devotion were shared with each one to make them feel that they were each very special.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his birth parents, Oval and Gladys Adams Cato; (mother and father) Curtis and Pearl Gooden Adams; brother, Melvin Adams; sisters, Barbara Harmon and Alene Viverette; and daughter-in-law, Heather Cato.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 45 years, Imogene Campbell Cato of the home; four children, Jeanie Hess and her husband Kenny of Blytheville, Johnny Cato and his wife Sharlene of Blytheville, Mikel Cato and his wife Francine of St. Roberts, Mo., and Ronnie Jay Cato II of Blytheville; two brothers, Roy Adams and his wife Becky of Copperas Cove, Texas, and James Adams of Dexter, Mo.; five sisters, Dee Brown and her husband Gerald of Lawton, Okla., Linda Turner of Sydney, Neb., Ann McPhereson of San Antonio, Texas, Iris Putney and her husband Sam of Petersburg, Vir., and Sharon Nuttal of Dexter, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Jamie McMillion, Darrell Cole, Leilani Lacer, Meagan Gray, Ronnie Jay Cato III, Juanita Cato, Korrin Cato, Alexis Cato and Jonathan Cato; and six great-grandchildren, Carter McMillion, Cason McMillion, Carsen Lacer, Bennett Gray, Malia Cole and Elias Gray.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Billy Holifield officiating. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until service time at Cobb Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will be Friday at 2 p.m. in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye, 3600 Highway 163, Cherry Valley, AR 72324.

Following the State of Arkansas COVID-19 guidelines, no more than 100 people will be allowed to gather inside of Cobb Funeral Home and practice social distancing, keeping a 6-foot distance between one another. Face masks are required to enter the building. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested by the family to be made to the St. Jude Hospital or to the charity of choice.