BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Daniel W. Cates, 47, of Blue Springs, Mo., and a native of Great Bend, passed away on Monday morning, Aug. 5, 2013, at Indian Meadows Healthcare Center in Overland Park after a lengthy illness.
Born on Dec. 8, 1965 in Great Bend, he was the son of Dale Orson and Beverly K. (Drennon) Cates.
In 1984, he graduated from Great Bend High School, and went on to attend Barton Community College two years. He was active with youth through the Hoisington Wrestling Club in Hoisington, during this time. Dan then transferred to Tabor College in Hillsboro, where he attained his Bachelors Degree in Sports Administration with Honors. Dan received baseball scholarships from both Barton Community College and Tabor College. He then went on to attain his Master’s Degree in sports administration with honors at Fort Hays State University.  On April 24, 1993, he married Jennifer B. Thouvenell in Great Bend. In 1997, they moved to Blue Springs, Mo.  Dan was an Information Technology Business Analyst, employed by DST Systems, Inc. of Kansas City, Mo. for 15 years.  
Dan was a member of the Living Stones Community Church in Blue Springs, Mo. He coached Little League Baseball for the past six years, and throughout his life was active in baseball, football, wrestling, hunting, archery, fishing, NASCAR and dirt track racing.            
Survivors include his wife, Jennifer B. Cates; two sons, Ryan Dale Cates and Tyler William Cates, Blue Springs, Mo.; his mother, Beverly K. (Drennon) Cates, Great Bend; and his maternal grandmother, Grace Drennon, Great Bend.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dale O. Cates on May 10, 2009; his paternal grandparents, V.W. and Aldean Cates; and his maternal grandfather, Daniel Drennon.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, with the Reverend Don Paden officiating.  Cremation will follow with inurnment to take place at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Charter Funerals.  
Memorials may be directed to the family to go toward Ryan and Tyler Cates’ Athletic Endeavors.
Online condolences may be left by friends and family and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.
 
Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Aug. 8. 2013