Charles Lawrence Cate, 91, of Salem, Oreg., formerly of Boydsville, Ark., died of congestive heart failure Wednesday, June 13, 2007.

Born in Boydsville to Elder T.L. and Nora (Sidebottom) Cate, he married his childhood sweetheart, Hazel Woodard on Aug. 22, 1936, in McDougal. They had 63 wonderful years of marriage and to this union were born four children who survive: Merlene Hancock of Albany, Oreg.; Nelda Borden of Monroe, Oreg.; Jerl Cate of Salem; and Lowell Cate of Graham, Wash. As well as the spouses of each of their children, there are 13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

He was a farmer until he and Hazel moved their family to Toledo, Oreg., in February of 1956, where he worked in the wood products industry. In 1962, the family moved to Springfield, Oreg., where he worked for School District 19 until his retirement in 1982. Charles and Hazel moved to Salem, in 1993, where they last resided.

Charles professed faith in Christ and was a faithful member of the New Testament Church where his membership was held. At his death, he was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Salem. Charles is survived by one brother, Ezra Cate, of St. Peters, Mo. He was preceded in death by three sisters including Ethel Jones and two sisters who died in early childhood; as well as five brothers: Roy, Floyd, Claud, Van and their spouses. In 2001 Charles met and later married Wilma Janet Miller; they had a great marriage.

Visitation was Friday, June 15, at the Golden funeral home in Salem. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 16, at the funeral home; Internment followed at the Springfield Memorial Gardens cemetery in Springfield, Oreg.