Benjamin Leslie Cate, Jr.

Benjamin Leslie Cate, Jr. (Benny Boy) born April 20, 1934, went to be with his Savior on Sunday, June 6th, 2021 at the age of 87.

He was a life long resident of Maryville, Tennessee and shared 64 years of marriage with the love of his life, Nancy Sue Lambert, raising 4 children together. They were long-time members of Broadway United Methodist Church, Maryville, Tennessee.

Ben was one of the founding partners of Cate-Russell Insurance in Maryville, Tennessee with his son Leslie and Bruce Russell. He was a 60-year member of the Maryville Kiwanis Club and dedicated his retirement years to fundraising and recruitment of new members. Ben was also a long-time board member of the Maryville Housing Authority, and his commitment was recognized with the dedication of the Ben Cate Building on Home Avenue in Maryville, Tennessee.

Ben was always an active father, whether as a coach for little league baseball or as an enthusiastic spectator watching all is children swim for the Green Meadow Country Club Swim Team. He loved the walking horse industry and showed for over 40 years; however, his greatest joy was watching his granddaughter and daughter-in-law enter the ring. No grandfather loved his 4 grandchildren and great-granddaughters greater than Benny Boy!

Ben is preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy Lambert Cate, his parents, Benjamin Leslie Cate, Sr. and Gladys Griffin Cate and his sisters, Peggy Cate Smith and Patsy Cate Vaeth.

He is survived by his children, Leslie Cate (Loretta), Sheree King (Greg), Mark Cate (Diane) and Mike Cate, his grandchildren Ashley Cate Vogel (Max), Lindsey Cate Salter (John), Emily King and Ben King, and great grandchildren Elle Vogel, Vada Vogel and Penelope Salter and his brother Jimmy Cate (Karen), brother-in-law Sam Vaeth, and sister-in-law’s Betty Kerr and Sylvia Erwin. Honorary Pallbearers are Ben's long and best buddies, Dr. William (Bill) Crowder and Mr. Wilson Borden. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Blount Memorial Hospital.

Receiving of Friends will be from 4:00-6:00 PM at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville, Tennessee on Thursday, June 10th, 2021 with service immediately following. Burial will be at 9:00 AM on Friday, June 11th, 2021 at Grandview Cemetery, 20304 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 East Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee 37804 or Maryville Kiwanis Club, 576 Foothills Plaza Drive, Maryville, Tennessee 37801.