Phillip Ray Cates

CATES, PHILLIP R. (1947 ~ 2014). The following is an obituary for Phil Cates, former member of the Texas Legislature.

CATES, Phillip R.

January 6, 1947-July 13, 2014

Phil Cates lived in Lefors, Texas, until he left for West Texas State University in Canyon. He met and married Nancy Holt from Pampa in 1970. They have two sons: Andrew and John Cates, wife Ruth, children Ty Quincy and Elisabeth Carmen.

Phil's political career began at WTSU when he was elected 4 times to the Student Senate. He was also a Baptist Student Union and Lambda Chi Alpha member. At age 23, he was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives for four terms. In 1998, the WTSU Alumni Association honored Phil with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Phil lobbied for Tenneco, Inc. (Houston) for 9 years under former Texas Speaker Byron Tunnell in 9 Southeastern states. In 1989, Phil lobbied for the Texas Association of Business, and in 1991 lobbied with former Texas Speaker Bill Clayton until 1996 when he opened his own lobby firm, Texas Stakeholders where he worked until his death.

Graveside services: 10 a.m. Sat., July 26, 2014, at Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota, Austin, TX 78702.

Flowers should be delivered directly to the State Cemetery on the morning of the funeral. In lieu of flowers: Mary Lee Foundation, 1339 Lamar Square Dr, Austin, TX 78704 or Boy Scout Troop at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church, 4000 E. Highway 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.

Published in Austin American-Statesman from July 20 to July 21, 2014