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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF MACFARLANE LAFFERTY "MAC" CATES, JR., OF SPARTANBURG AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of MacFarlane Lafferty "Mac" Cates, Jr., of Spartanburg on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at the venerable age of ninety-three; and
Whereas, born on November 9, 1927, in Spartanburg, Mac Cates was the son of the late MacFarlane Lafferty Cates, Sr., and Mary Sydnor DuPré Cates. He was to become the head of a prominent Spartanburg textile family and a dedicated philanthropist; and
Whereas, Mr. Cates attended public school in Spartanburg and was a graduate of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. He received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University. Mr. Cates retired as CEO of Arkwright Mills in Spartanburg; and
Whereas, well respected by his peers, he was formerly president of the South Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association, where he served on the board for several years. He was president of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, by which he was granted its highest honor, the Slater Award. Further, he was on the boards of C&S Bank, SeaPac Corporation, and Spartan Mills, as well as on the NationsBank Carolinas Board and the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Advisory Board; and
Whereas, Mr. Cates also served on the boards of Chatham Hall School, Hollins College, and the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Foundation; and
Whereas, unquestionably devoted to his community, Mac was chairman of the United Way and the Spartanburg Music Foundation, member of the Spartanburg Historical Society Board, trustee and chair of the Spartanburg County Foundation, chairman of the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center Foundation Board, and member of the Sirrine Foundation Board. He also served on the board for the Country Club of Spartanburg and was a member of the Piedmont Club, which he served as board chair. Moreover, he was a member of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce Board and was chair of the Arkwright Foundation until 2020. In 2017, Mac and his wife, Margi, were recognized by the Kiwanis Club as Citizens of the Year for their multifaceted involvement in the community; and
Whereas, an avid sportsman, Mac Cates loved to spend time afield and in the stream. He was a founding member of the Kawana Fishing Club, a member of the Anglers Club of NYC, and a past member of the Brook Club NYC, Rainbow Springs Club, and Linville Golf Club. In addition, he was a founding member of the South Carolina Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a lifetime member of the Spartanburg Gun Club; and
Whereas, this man of faith served his God as a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent; and
Whereas, Mac Cates leaves to cherish his memory his wife of seventy-one years, Marguerite McGee Cates; his daughters, Marguerite DuPré Cates Cochran, Elisabeth Quarles Cates, Kathleen MacFarlane Cates, and Mary Lafferty Cates; and his grandchildren, Elisabeth Peyton Cochran Nolan (Sean) and Lee Stuart Cochran. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of MacFarlane Lafferty "Mac" Cates, Jr., of Spartanburg and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Marguerite McGee Cates for the family.
This web page was last updated on May 5, 2021 at 6:56 PM