Frank Cathey

Flat Rock and Clyde – Thaddeus Frank Cathey, age 92, of Flat Rock and Clyde passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Flat Rock. He was born on January 22, 1923. Frank was the son of the late Thadeus Alton and Francis McNabb Cathey. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Bost of Winston-Salem. He grew up in Clyde and graduated from UNC - Chapel Hill in 1944 where he received a BS degree in chemistry. After graduating from college, he later attended graduate school at the New York School of Engineering in New York City. He began a management career in the rubber industry that lasted more than 40 years. His primary employers were Uniroyal, Inc. where he was the Technical Director of Power Transmission Division and Gates Rubber where he was Technical Director of Synthetic Belt Operations and the Co-op Manager of Materials Development. In addition to his work in the United States, he was responsible for technical programs at affiliated facilities in Scotland, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, New York Rubber Group, and Society of Plastics Engineers. During retirement years, he spent time golfing as a member of the Kenmure Country Club in Flat Rock, where he scored his first hole-in-one at age 75. He also spent time on his farm in Clyde raising polléd Hereford cattle. Mr. Cathey's ashes will be distributed over the family farm which he continued to operate until his death. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Stella Stravakis Cathey; a daughter, Janet Cathey of Greer, South Carolina; a son Thomas Cathey and his wife, Jana, of Ada Michigan; a grandson, Scott Cathey of Ada, Michigan and his favorite four-legged companion, Daisy. A private service for family and friends will be held to honor Frank's life. Memorials may be made to First Congregational Church of Hendersonville, where he was a member, 1735 5th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739 or to Four Seasons Hospice, 581 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.