Edward Ray Cate

Edward Ray Cate was born in Albany, Ga on July 9, 1952. He passed away on March 27, 2026 in Baton Rouge. La. Ray was the son of Harry and Lillian Amelia Cate.

Ray was a 1970 Graduate of Albany High School and then attended and graduated from Albany Junior College, Auburn University and Georgia Southwestern University.

He enjoyed running in his younger days and completed the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta on July 4th several years. An Avid golfer, he played many famed courses around the world, including Pebble Beach, Augusta National and The Old Course in Scotland.

Ray earned his private pilot's license at a young age. He enjoyed flying and later his business career would take him around the world to places such as Italy, Hawaii, South America, and many cities throughout the US.

He filled many roles in his career in quality control, product development, plant manager, etc., for several large companies.

Ray loved Baton Rouge and was a resident for the past 20 years. He had a great love of music and one of his favorite places was the Red Dragon Listening Room and he attended many shows there over the years.

After growing up in Albany, his career took him to Columbia, South Carolina, Winston-Salem North Carolina, then Baton Rouge where he settled.

He had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs. Ray was a man of many talents and each task he undertook; he gave it his best effort, including a long battle with Parkinson's disease and lastly cancer.

He is survived by his sister, Karen Cate Fordham (Tony) of Albany, Ga; nephew, Christopher Fordham of Albany ,Ga., 2 Aunts and an Uncle; many cousins; and his beloved Border Collie, Penny.

No formal memorial service will be held in Baton Rouge, but a concert by one of his favorite artist and good friends, Irene Kelley of Nashville, will be presented at 8 pm, April 10th at the Sullivan Theater and will be dedicated to Ray. Originally planned to honor him, he missed by two weeks the chance to attend, this concert will now be a tribute to him. So if you can, please join and celebrate and remember him with other friends at this great night of music. Contact the Sullivan Theater for more information.

A Memorial service will be held in Albany, Ga within the next two weeks, plans will be announced when finalized.

Per his wishes, He was cremated and his ashes will be spread in Hawaii and a ceremony will be held there. Open to all who would like to attend. Date to be determined.

The family wishes to thank his very special caregivers, Heather Kelehar and Taylor Carr for their excellent care and compassion to Ray during his illness. It allowed him to be at home where he wanted to be.

Thanks to his good friend, Chris Maxwell for organizing the concert and being there for Ray for many years. The music times they shared for many years at the Red Dragon Listening Room were a very happy and joyous part of his life. Thanks to Irene Kelley for being a great friend for many years and coming to present a special evening of music.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in his honor, he was a big supporter.