<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 513
By Hardaway
HJR0513
006512
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A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Alfred Bertram Cate, Jr.
WHEREAS, we were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Alfred Bertram Cate,
Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Alfred "Johnny" Cate was an exemplary public servant and consummate
professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in
numerous capacities; and
WHEREAS, the son of A.B. Cate and Elizabeth Cate, Mr. Cate was a 1957 graduate of
McMinn High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track, and he went
on to attend Vanderbilt University, playing for the football team and becoming a member of the
Alpha Tau Omega fraternity; and
WHEREAS, after he transferred to Memphis State University, he graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts in History in 1964 and returned to also earn a Master of Arts in Latin American
Studies in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cate, desiring to serve his country and uphold the values for which it
stands, joined the United States Army in 1965 and served courageously in Vietnam as a First
Lieutenant infantry platoon leader and liaison officer to the United States Navy and Marines, in
addition to being attached to special forces; and
WHEREAS, rightfully recognized by his superiors for his tremendous effort and heroism
amid the harrowing danger of battle, Mr. Cate earned several medals in his military tenure,
receiving the Bronze Star Medal for Valor with Oak Leaf Cluster from General Omar Bradley in
1967 and an Air Medal for leading twenty-five successful combat assaults in a helicopter; and
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WHEREAS, Mr. Cate was reassigned in 1968 to the National Honor Guard at Fort Myer,
Virginia, and following his honorable discharge thereafter, he returned to Tennessee to begin
his thirty-six-year career of teaching American history and coaching football, basketball,
baseball, and tennis at Memphis Central High School; and
WHEREAS, no less esteemed in his educational endeavors, Mr. Cate became the
school's athletic director in 1976, a role he dutifully and admirably fulfilled until his retirement in
2004, and he earned countless accolades by his ever-present commitment to athletic and
academic excellence: the Rex Dockery Award from the National College Football Hall of Fame,
the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Coach of the Year Award,
induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame and Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of
Fame, the Valley Forge National Teachers Award, and the George Washington Medal; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cate left Memphis Central High School as the second most successful
Memphis City Schools football coach in the district's history, as well as having earned winning
records in every sport he coached; not wishing to bury his talents, he continued to teach history
at OIive Branch High School in north Mississippi until 2012; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cate always felt his greatest achievements were the 152 players that he
coached who received scholarships and aid to play football in college, and he always
encouraged them to strive for perfection in all their pursuits; and
WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, never missing an opportunity to
support his children and grandchildren in any facet of life, and whether he was traveling with his
beloved wife, Kathy, and their in-laws in RV adventures or fostering a love of sports in his
progeny, he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and
WHEREAS, Alfred Bertram Cate will be sadly mourned yet fondly remembered by his
wife of fifty-eight years, Kathy; his son, Al (Stephanie); his daughters, Anne (Danny) Dohogne
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and Jan (Jeff) Weaver; his grandchildren, Taylor (Ross) Madison, Dawson, Delaney, and Brett
Dohogne, and Preston Weaver; and his great-grandchild, Wyatt Madison; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Linda
Cate; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cate leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public
life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that we should remember the bountiful life of this exceptional
gentleman and human being; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNES SEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Alfred Bertram Cate, Jr., reflecting fondly upon
his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage
and conviction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
to the family of Mr. Cate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.