Sunday, Feb 6, 2011
Junior Lee Caton, 76, passed away January 10th, 2011 in Kingman, Arizona, at home while sitting in his chair. Junior was born in Julesburg, Colorado to Milo and Pauline (Bothel) Caton on August 15th, 1934. The family soon moved to Tieton, WA where Junior graduated from Highland High School. He enjoyed playing football, basketball and baseball while at Highland. Following high school graduation, Junior enlisted in the Army. While stationed in Germany he met and married a German girl by the name of Ilsa Gelrich and brought her home to Tieton after he got out of the Army. They lived in Washington state for several months before Junior enlisted in the Air Force making it a career of 21 & 1/2 years as a Tech Sergeant for the US Air Force. After 13 years of marriage, Junior and Ilsa divorced. Junior spent time in Germany, Florida, and Vietnam while in the Air Force. He met and married Kathy while stationed and living in Florida. Junior and Kathy moved to Kingman 15 & 1/2 years ago from Tampa, Florida. Junior was an excellent golfer, a sharp pool player who learned the game from his father Milo, while trying to beat him. He also enjoyed watching a variety of sports and comparing the teams and their wins with his two brothers. Junior enjoyed water skiing, playing cards with family and friends, woodworking, carpenter work and gambling at the Casinos. He loved to joke, tease, and tell stories. He greatly enjoyed attending his Highland High reunions whenever possible. While at Highland High he was a little league coach for his younger brothers baseball team in Tieton. Junior was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.
Junior is survived by his wife Kathy of Kingman, Arizona; his daughter Kallee (Eddie) Beasley of Kingman and his four grandchildren; Dustin, Destiny, Devin, and Dillon Beasley all residing in Kingman, Arizona. One stepson, David (Linda) Schoss of Pleasant View, Utah; three step daughters; Karen Sharp of Lutz, Florida, Melany (Wade) Hillstead of Warren, Utah and Heidi (Tony) Gibson of Willoughby, Ohio; 7 step grandchildren, 14 step-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and one uncle, Alfred Caton of Las Vegas, Nevada who attended Junior's service. Also attending the service were Junior's two surviving brothers and their wives; Bob (Billie) Caton of Yakima, and Jim (Charlotte) Caton of Tieton. One brother-in-law, Harold Goldsmith of Moses Lake, also survives Junior.
Junior was preceded in death by his parents Milo and Pauline Caton of Tieton, and his older and only sister, Dorothy Goldsmith of Moses Lake.
Junior was buried at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada on Wednesday January 19th, 2011. Funeral services were held in their chapel with family and friends present. the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard and presiding Pastor buried him with full Military honors. Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Kingman, Arizona handled arrangements.
**********************************************
MILITARY MARKER:
Caton, Junior Lee
TSgt, US Air Force, Korea, Vietnam
Aug 15, 1934 - Jan 10, 2011
Interred: Sec AC, Grave 1476
SOUTHERN NEVADA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEM,
1900 Buchanan Blvd. Boulder City, NV 89005
