John D. Cathey was born to Roy (Hap) and Mozell Cathey on December 31, 1933, in Brownfield, Texas. He passed away peacefully at home in Moab, Utah, on the evening of May 18, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. While he will be greatly missed, he is now free from pain and at home with the Lord.
John grew up in West Texas, where he attended school in the small farming town of O’Donnell. While growing up there, John had many summer and after-school jobs, including working in the local cotton gin and as a projectionist in the town’s theater. The singing cowboys, popular in films at that time, certainly were an inspiration to him. John had a wonderful singing voice that he cultivated from those early days and was a true pleasure to those fortunate enough to hear him sing. He is assuredly leading a choir of angels now.
Later work introduced him to the drilling business working on small, portable rigs, primarily in the exploration of oil and uranium. This took John away from West Texas and his family that included younger brothers Matt and Leo as well as “Mother” and “Daddy.” Even though distance separated them at times, his family was still deep in his thoughts, and he sent money home to help as best he could. His brother Leo’s recollection of the new bike he got for Christmas when there was barely enough to make ends meet is a wonderful example of the generosity, caring and love John had for everyone he met, but especially for his family throughout his life.
The drilling business brought John to Moab in the early 1950s, when he met, fell in love with and married his beautiful wife, the late Barbara Dolores Burck, in the fall of 1955. Soon to follow were their four children: Jeff, Cindy, Clay and Dolores (Dodi). John continued to work in the drilling business, many times away from home, to make sure his family was always provided for. In the early 1970s, he formed Cathey Brothers Drilling Company. You could say it ran in the family, as brothers Matt and Leo also had drilling companies of their own.
After retiring from the drilling business, John returned to Moab where he married his second wife, Juliene (Judi) Causer, an angel in her own right and a true blessing to John. It was at their home that he passed away, but not before finding the Lord several years before.
John was preceded in death by both his parents; his brother Matt; his nephew Jason Cathey; and his first wife, Barbara Dolores Burck Cathey. John is survived by his wife Judi Causer; his brother and sister-in-law Leo and Judy Cathey; his four children, Jeff Cathey, Cindy Cowan, Clay Cathey and Dodi Jochim; grandchildren Jared Cathey, Tyler Cathey, Clay Charles Cowan, Stephanie Jochim, Taylor Cathey, Dylan Jochim and Colten Cathey; great-grandchildren Elora Cathey, Jaida Cowen, Brynja Cathey, Owen Bates and Killian Cowan; his nieces Mary Ann Wiler, Amanda Cathey, Cristal Cathey and Jesse Jo Cathey; his nephews Shane Cathey, Michael Cathey and Matt Cathey Jr.; and numerous extended family.
At John’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
