“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15
Robert (Bob) Heard Cato, a faithful servant of the Lord, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the age of 86.
An avid farmer, Bob loved driving a tractor. He left the earth doing that very thing as he passed away on his riding lawnmower, mowing the yard. Medically it will be said that he died of a heart attack, but anyone that knew Bob knows that his heart really stopped beating when the love of his life, Marie, passed away last summer. He never was the same after her passing, and God has finally reunited them in heaven.
Bob was born in Winona, Mississippi, in his grandparents’ home on September 17, 1938. Bob's parents were Henry Heard Cato and Annie (Ann) May Grace Cato. He was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. His dad was in the Army until he had to resign due to health reasons. His family moved to various states with his father’s frequent relocation as a naval base designer. After World War II, they moved to New Albany and lived with Bob’s grandparents. Bob’s brother, Tommy, was born in New Albany four years from the day Bob was born. Bob went to school in New Albany through the 2nd grade and then the family moved to Jackson. In Jackson, Bob’s sister Ann Grace was born in 1950. Bob attended Clinton Elementary, Bailey Junior High, Central High and he graduated from Murrah High School in 1956.
Growing up, Bob was nicknamed “wormy Bob Cato” because he was so small. That changed during high school, and during his senior year of high school, Bob was named Most Athletic. He was offered athletic scholarships to several small colleges but decided to attend Mississippi State University and pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity where his future wife, Marie Harlow Clark, was named Sigma Chi Sweetheart. Bob lived in the Old Main dormitory during his freshman and sophomore year. This was the same dorm that his father lived in 50 years earlier than Bob.
Marie and Bob were married on August 8, 1959, at First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City.They moved to West Point, Mississippi, to finish his college education at Mississippi State while Marie taught high school English. One of Bob’s favorite stories to tell from those years was his adventures hitch-hiking to and from Starkville while he finished his degree. Bob completed his Civil Engineering degree from Mississippi State in 1960.
After Bob’s graduation, the couple moved to Jackson, where Bob worked for BellSouth. In 1961, they relocated to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where Bob was stationed in the Army. Their first son, Robert Clark Cato, was born later that year. In 1963, they moved back to Yazoo City, where Bob began farming with his father-in-law, Will Clark. Bob and Marie were blessed with two more sons: Robert Heard Cato III, who was born in 1963 and tragically died at birth, and Kinch Henry Cato, who was born in 1969.
When Bob moved to Yazoo City in 1963, he knew nothing about farming. His father-in-law, William (Will) Thomas Clark, and other local farmers helped train him to change from being an engineer to a farmer. Bob fell in love with farming and was constantly working to improve his farming knowledge. He served on many agricultural and local boards including the following: Staplcotn, Delta Council (Vice-President), founding member and Vice-President of Yazoo Planters Gin, Yazoo County Farm Service Agency, Mississippi Boll Weevil Association, Yazoo County Soil & Water Conservation, Yazoo County Farm Bureau (President), and Manchester Academy.
Bob loved the Lord, and he faithfully served Him in the churches where he was a member, as well as the many ministries he volunteered his time to such as Gideons International. He taught Sunday School and led Bible studies at First Presbyterian Church and later at Second Presbyterian, which he helped start. He served as an elder in both churches, and he also helped start Covenant Christian School. He also served in the Presbyterian Church in America Presbytery. Bob was a true servant of the Lord.
Bob was a tremendously hard worker and would take pride in “outworking” everyone. His hard work, military background, and leadership skills earned him the nickname: “The General.” He was a committed Christian, loving, generous, and faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and friend to many.
Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Marie Cato; his parents, Henry and Ann Cato; his brother, Tommy Cato; his sister-in-law, Hy Harrell; and his son, Robert. He is survived by his sister, Ann Price (Bill); his son, Clark (Christine) and his children, Causey, Sterling (Ben Parker), Stewart, Caleb, and Elijah (son Worley); his son, Kinch (Audra) and their children, Robert and Helen; sister-in-law, JoAnne Forbes (Marlin); and his brother-in-law, Guy Harrell.
Memorial donations may be made to Reformed Theological Seminary, 4268 I-55 N, Jackson, MS 39211, Fort Worth Christian School, 6200 Holiday Lane, North Richland Hills, TX 76180, or the charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 1, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City. The following day on August 2, a visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City starting at 9:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following this service, close friends and family are invited to the graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery and lunch at Second Presbyterian Church.
