James William Kates, age 88 of Seguin, passed away on February 17, 2016. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Tres Hewell Mortuary from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Jim Price officiating. Interment will follow in the Achterberg Cemetery. James was born in Caldwell County on December 29, 1927. James worked at the Cotton Mill in New Braunfels and later went to work and retired from Hexcel in Seguin. He will be remembered for playing his guitar and harmonica in many different churches throughout the area. He loved fising and bowling, and was an active member of the Laubach Bowling Club. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Minnie Kates, second wife, Amos Kates, mother, Beulah Kates, sisters, Mary Buckner, Edna Boyer, and Johnnie Buckner, brother, Guy and step- daughter Hassie Volcker. Survivors include his daughter Sharon Coker and husband Duane; granddaughter, Suzanne Schwarzlose and husband Dwayne; grandson, Travis Coker; great-grandchildren, Keith, Konnor, Mallorie and Madison Schwarzlose; step-son, Jerry Rutledge; step-daughter, Judy Jackson; step- granddaughter, Jennifer Jackson; step-great-grandson, Jacob Jackson; numerous nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be Leo Zimmerman, Shawn Haas, John Schrfaub, Norman Lehmann, Jim Schultz, and Terry Heikkila. Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Church Memorial Fund, 814 N. Bauer, Seguin, Texas, 78155.