Donald Cato

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Donald Ray Cato, 78, of Advance passed away Thursday, June 19, 2014, peacefully in his sleep at home.

He was born Nov. 1, 1935, at McGee, Missouri, son of Charley and Edna Stephens Cato.

He and Glenda Croy were married July 29, 1961.

Don graduated from Greenville High School in 1953.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, joining in 1955.

Don then began working for Railway Express in St. Louis.

He moved to the Advance/Swinton area in 1968, where he began farming. Second to his family, it was the love of his life.

In his younger years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Glenda Cato; two sons, Donald Lee (Robin) Cato and Brian Douglas (Angie) Cato of Advance; seven grandchildren, Whittney, Aftan, Dylan, Denae, Cade, Baylor and Diesel; five great-grandchildren, Kasen, Emma, Cali, Bentley and Brynn; two sisters, AnnaBelle Kempf of Bridgeton, Missouri, and Carolyn Walker of McGee; and also Randy (Michelle) Thrower of Summersville, South Carolina, and his sons, Josh and Cameron.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jessica Cato; his parents; and two brothers, Harold and Verdell.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the chapel, with the Rev. Dale Wiseman officiating and the Rev. Ray Placher assisting.

Burial will be in McGee New Hope Cemetery.