- Date Of Birth: June 20, 1948
- Date Of Death: June 18, 2016
- State: Illinois
Rev. Jerry Cato Sr. went home to be with the Lord June 18, 2016 at 6:45am at his home.
He born was June 20, 1948, in Luther, Okla., to the Rev. Wardell and Mrs. Fannie Mae (Shaw) Cato Sr. Rev. Cato married Rosalee Fern Svenson. He leaves to mourn; five daughters, Lisa Cato-Crider (Colonel) of Sterling, Annette Cato, Galesburg, Krystal Parks (Mason), Moline, Satina Sotelo (Jospeh), San Marco, Tx, and Keyia Wyatt (Derrick), Hot Spring Arkansas; and six sons, Jerry (Elisha) Cato II, Jerry Cato Jr., and Keymon Irby, all of Galesburg, Jamie Duerre (Regina) of West Burlington, Iowa, Delmar (Jeannaua) Robertson-Taylor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Anthony Kimmons of Des Plaines, Indiana; 43 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; Three godsisters Barbara King(Doug) and Debra Powell, both of Galesburg, and Crystal Brown, Portland, and a host of other relatives.
Rev. Cato was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosalee on March 21, 2015; and brother, Wardell Cato, Jr.Jerry was reared and educated in Galesburg. Jerry was an outstanding football player during his schooling. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1967. He attend Centerville Iowa Jr College, Carl Sandburg Jr College, and Truck driving school.
Rev. Cato began his ministry in 1974 at Second Baptist Church, Galesburg, under his father’s leadership. He served as the pastor of New Home Missionary Baptist Church since 1989. Cato is past president of Illinois Central District Association of Christian Education Congress. He was the president of the Unity in the Community Ministerial Alliance. He was the past secretary and treasurer of the Inter-Denominational Ministers Association.
Cato worked at Gates Rubber Co., Galesburg Cottage Hospital, and Illinois Pork. He then drove for Teamsters Local 627 for 20 years. He also drove for Gunther Construction and Peoria Black Top among others.
Cato was the past president of the local chapter of NAACP and affiliated with W.L. Darrow Lodge 10 as a past master. He is a former board member of Habitat for Humanity, former bowler for the Northgate Rookie Bowling league and a former coach for New Home Church basketball teams and the Junior Football League.
Cato was inducted in GHS Hall of Fame as a member of 1966 football team. Pastor Jerry L, Cato, Sr. was a great mentor to the youth of this community as well as his peers. He was foster parent for many years. He was a die-hard fan of Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, family, and friends. He also loved to play chess and was a member of the Ebony and Ivory Chess Club.
