Allan David Cates

A longtime resident of Concow, Allan David Cates died at age 80 on February 23, 2024 in Elk Grove, CA, where he lived following the Butte County Camp Fire of 2018. 

Allan was born in Alameda, CA in 1943 to Carlos and Genevieve Cates. He graduated from Alameda High School and ROTC, then enlisted in the Air Force, where he was an expert marksman. 

After his military service, Allan worked as a welder on aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. He built commercial fishing boats in Central California and Coos Bay, Oregon. Later on, Allan attended San Francisco State University and studied psychology. An avid outdoorsman, he was a sailor, SCUBA diver, fisherman, and marksman. Allan enjoyed playing the harmonica, reading his bible, and watching wildlife at his home in Concow, Butte County--where he narrowly escaped two wildfires that devastated his home and community both times.

Allan is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his siblings Yvonne Barton, Kennith Cates, and Doris Crowell. He is survived by his children Laura (Patrick) O’Neill and Scott Cates, and his grandchildren Colleen, Alison, Danielle, and Taylor.

A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on March 11 at East Lawn Elk Grove, 9189 East Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, and he will be buried with honors at 11 a.m. on March 12 at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.