Alwyn Cato

Alwyn Jerrold “A.J.” Cato, 95, passed away peacefully at home on June 28th, 2017.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 30, from 6-8pm, with funeral service at 10am Saturday, July 1, both at LDS Stake Center, 705 W. Walnut St. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Mound Grove Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice in his honor.

A.J. was born on January 3, 1922, in Independence, MO, to Denzil Omer Cato and Mildred Beatrice (Skinner) Cato. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in the class of 1939, and graduated from William Institute of Mortuary Science two years later. He served in the United States Navy from 1942 – 1945 in the South Pacific Theater. On October 8, 1947, he married Helen R. Sartain, and to this union were born four children.

A.J. worked in real estate sales and appraisals for Cato & Associates (later known as A.J. Cato Company). He loved what he did, and even did home appraisals up until just a few years ago. He was a Pastor for 9 years at the West College Congregation RLDS, and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Appraisal Institute and attained the M.A.I. designation. He served on numerous regional professional boards. He enjoyed genealogy and traveling in his fifth wheel during retirement.

A.J. is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of nearly 70 years, Helen; sons, Dennis Cato (wife, Sondra), Jerrold Cato (wife, Tawnee), and John Cato (wife, Lia); 9 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Kathlyn Graves; and numerous extended family, church associates, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Elaine Cato; parents, Denzil and Mildred Cato; and sisters, Barbara Cummins, Gladys Wiley, and Berdita Cato.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.