Superior Court I Judge David Cates is shown during a Kosciusko County Council meeting briefing members on the continued success of Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The sudden death of Kosciusko Superior Court 1 Judge David C. Cates, 61, Syracuse, Wednesday night, has the local judicial community and Syracuse community in shock.

His death “will leave a big hole in the court system in the county,” stated Steve Snyder, local attorney and Cates’ first employer in the county. “He had great ideas and knew how to execute them. He had inside organizational skills and the ability to deal with people,” Snyder said, adding if he had a good idea he told you, you should do it.

“He went the way he would have wanted to go, but way too early,” Snyder said.

Cates came to Syracuse after graduating from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, where he graduated juris doctorate cum laude and was an honors graduate. His first practice was with Snyder with an office in the Pickwick Block. “We were partners for a number of years,” Snyder stated.

“He was a great guy. We always considered each other very good friends. He was down to earth. Simply brilliant, a really bright guy,” Snyder concluded.

After leaving the practice with Snyder, Cates became a partner with Dick Green at Green and Cates and later Green, Cates and Grossnickle, LLP. He also was the second attorney in the history of the Wawasee Community School Corp., a position he held for 26 years from 1987 to 2013.

Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent, issued this statement to the school board and Wawasee community. “Former Wawasee Community School attorney, and friend, David Cates, passed away Wednesday evening. Dave served our board and students for 26 years, prior to his election as Kosciusko County Superior Court Judge.

“Whether in his role as school attorney or as judge, David served as an advocate for children. His counsel was always toward making situations better for kids. Dave’s judgement and advice were well regarded by those within the legal, behavioral, and educational worlds in which he operated.

“David Cates will be greatly missed.”

Sandy Green, wife of attorney Dick Green, remembered Cates as being tough and kind at the same time. “He was a personable man, yet pretty private.” She remembers him as being an attentive father and loving his two boys JR (Jeryl) and Jeremy. She recalls during the years how his son, JR (Jeryl) would come to the office after school and either do his homework in his father’s office or in the office kitchen.

In talking with Green, his famous Grinch Christmas tie was remembered, which he always wore during the holiday season and became his trademark. His sly smile will also be remembered.

Cates was an avid muskie fisherman. Green recalls his office walls would have numerous muskies mounted. He was also a hunter and had a hunting dog. Cates had a love of basketball and for 12 years coached middle and elementary basketball at Milford Elementary and Middle School.

Cates was also active in the community he lived in. He was past president and on the board of directors for the Lakeland Youth Center and past president and on the board of directors of Lakeland Community Services that oversaw the day care and latchkey program. He served on the board of directors for Teen Parents Succeeding, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, Webster Lake Musky Club, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, Muskies Inc. International, Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary and K21 Health Foundation. He was also a past member of the Milford Library Board of Trustees and was a certified Indiana Hunter Education instructor.

Cates was a graduate of Indianapolis Ben Davis High School and received a bachelor of science degree from Purdue University before going to IU School of Law. Yet he remained an avid Purdue fan.

He belonged to the Indiana State and Kosciusko County Bar Associations, ABATE of Indiana, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, John Purdue Club, Kosciusko County Purdue Alumni Club, Calvary United Methodist Church and American Legion Herbert Kuhn Post 253 and was a life member of Purdue Alumni Association.

Cates was elected as superior court judge in 2014, but his professional experience was vast. He was a registered mediator, served more than 100 days as judge pro-tem in Kosciusko County Court. He was admitted to practice with the Indiana Supreme Court, Northern and Southern Federal District Courts and U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

As a lawyer he practiced law in real estate, juvenile cases, general civil litigation, mediation, domestic relations, criminal, estate planning and family law. He also was the former Kosciusko County Board of Realtors attorney.

In addition to serving as WCSC attorney, he served as attorney for other corporations, townships, libraries, fire and sewer territories.

Cates served on the Republican staff of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1981 to 1984. He was past executive secretary of the Indiana Judicial Study Commission, Judicial Nominating Commission and Judicial Qualifications Commission. He also was named honorary Indiana Secretary of State.

He was a Republican Party delegate to the Indiana Republican State Convention twice, and served as sergeant of arms with the Indiana State Republican Convention and was active within the local Republican party and served as former vice-precinct committee man.

Cates was the son of the late Dr. Jeryl Cates and Mary Ann Cates, his wife is Kimberly Cates, and his children are Jeryl and Jeremy Cates and Abbigail and Christopher Webb.