Gill Lee Cato's Obituary
Grizz was born on Friday, November 15, 1956, to the late Verna and Robert Lee Cato in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a baby boomer and a Scorpio. Grizz joined Tinsa Ann Cato (Tiny) in Holy Matrimony on the 24th of August in 1979; the couple recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this past August. Together, Grizz and Tiny joyfully welcomed their only biological child, Stephen, in April of 1980.
Grizz was a hard worker throughout his life. He worked multiple jobs over the years such as a delivery driver for Purity Milk Co., a butcher at Malone and Hyde, a Shoney’s warehouse manager, and worked for Pepsi for over 30 years.
To relax, Grizz listened to 96.3 Jack FM in between riding motorcycles, shooting pool, and spending time outdoors. He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and coaching baseball when Stephen was younger. He liked watching classic westerns, wrestling, Nascar races, and every sport in between. He was also a member of the Madison Elks Lodge and with B.A.C.A. for nine years.
Grizz had an amazing ability to make anyone laugh and feel better. Even on the worst days, he was always there when he was needed, most of the time with a hug and a joke or two. To know him was both a privilege and an honor, a more honest and loyal man would be impossible to find.
Surrounded by his loving wife, son, and many friends that felt like family, Grizz passed peacefully Friday, August 30th at 5:39pm. He is survived by his wife Tinsa (Tiny) Ann Cato, his son Stephen, and Bernessa, whom he loved like a daughter, grandchildren Jeffrey and Caden, sister Harriett (Tim) Royer, sister-in-laws Lisa Clifford, Jenny (Mike) Foster, nephews, Chris (Lauren) Hunter, and Eric Givens, nieces, Shandy Jarrell (Davis), Tiffany (Thomas), step-niece, Lisa (Corde) Sprouse, step-nephew, David Royer, a few special friends, Josh (Tara) Gamble, Jason (Amy) Gamble, and Ace (Jami) Gamble, and many adopted children.
Grizz was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ella Mai and James Arthur Cato. His mother and father, Verna and Robert Lee Cato. Mother and Father-in-law Gene and Gail Troutt.
The family will greet friends and family at Spring Hill Funeral Home on Thursday, September 5th, from 4-8p, Friday September 6 from 2-7p, and celebrate is life on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s hospital. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Pallbearers will be Stephen Cato, Josh Gamble, Ace Gamble, Chris Coppedge, Mike Foster, and Eric Givens.
Honorary pallbearers are Bernessa M. and Mr. Binx.
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