James Lee Cate, 97, retired school principal, coach, teacher, and county attendance supervisor, died early Sunday morning at Paris Health Care. Born on January 25, 1918, to Thomas Manual and Alma Wimbish Cate in Henry, he lived nearly all his life in Henry County. He resided briefly in Tupelo, MS, where he married his wife of 73 years, Marie Lummus Cate, and he was stationed in Japan during his Army service during World War II. A graduate of Henry High School, Mr. Cate attended Freed-Hardeman College and completed his bachelors degree at Bethel College. He received his masters degree at Murray State University, and served as teacher, coach, and principal for 30+ years at Springville High School before becoming attendance supervisor for Henry County. After his retirement, he continued to teach his Sunday School class at the Springville Church of Christ until his health interfered. Mr. Cate is survived by one daughter, Anne (Danny) Bailey, of Saltillo MS; two sons, Charles (Lillie) Cate of Paris, and Joe Cate of Springville. Their six grandchildren are Dr. Richard (Laura) Brown of Searcy AR, Melynda (Scott) Renner of Herndon VA, Laura (Andy) Hogan of Frederick MD, Tom (Becky) Cate of Paris, Dr. Ethan (Ashley) Brown of Hendersonville NC, and Christy Maria Cate of Abilene TX. Fourteen great-grand children and one great-great-grandson and his unborn brother also survive, as do his sisters, Martha (Leon) Berlin of Atlanta, Faye Jones and Sarah Scott of Paris, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Cate was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers: Edward Cate and his wife Lillie and Reuben and his wife Ruth, one sister: Raye Cate Powers and her husband Al, and two sons-in-law. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McEvoy Funeral Home and again on Friday after 10:00 a.m. at the church . A celebration of his life will take place at the Springville Church of Christ on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Poplar Grove Cemetery in Springville. Memorials may be made to: St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Freed Hardeman College, 158 East Main, Attn: Memorials, Henderson, TN 38340.