Patrick Cates: Was the 11th principal of Lubbock High School where he served from 1996 until May of 2000. He passed away on July 17, 2023 after a lengthy illness.
Growing up in a small farming and ranching community, Patrick knew that this life did not suit him.

After graduating from Texas Tech University, he was encouraged by a former teacher to get his teaching certificate. His first job was at Lubbock High School teaching drama and English in 1976. He met his wife Deb there in the spring of 1977 when her classroom was across the hall. They married in the spring of 1978, and their son Christopher was born in 1980.

Patrick was an exceptional teacher and director who loved being in the classroom. When the LEAP (Lubbock Exemplary Academic Program) was implemented, he taught sophomore and senior English. He got his master’s degree in administration and became an assistant principal, associate principal, and ultimately principal of Lubbock High School. In 2000, he was chosen as the Texas Secondary Principal of the Year and represented Texas in Washington, D.C., where he met President Bill Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore and many other outstanding principals.

The deadline is Feb. 5