Armel Lee Cates September 23, 1942 -

Armel Lee Cates passed away April 14, 2018 in Corvallis after a long battle with cancer. Armel was born September 23, 1942 in Portland, Oregon to Helen Wood Cates and Armel V. L. Cates.

He is survived by his wife, Coreen Casey; sister, Cecelia Cates Magoffin and her family; children, Sharon and Patrick Cates; stepchildren, Alex and Scott Foss; grandchildren, Eloise Cates and Frances Gutierrez-Cates; his uncle Ray Wood; as well as his furry family, Padamea, Zip, Taz, and Buddy.

Armel was a plank owner on the USS George C Marshall and served in the Navy as a submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator. He worked at the Idaho National Lab, spending time at ETR and the north end, finishing his long career in Emergency Preparedness.

Armel was active in the Master Gardener Program in Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls folk dancers. In Oregon, he has continued dancing with the Corvallis Hoolyeh Dancers and his wife.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.