Charles Thomas “Chad” Cate ll was born February 5, 1976, to Katherine “Brandy” Cate and the late Charles Thomas Cate Sr. in Kanab, Utah. Soon after, the family migrated to Washington State. The Cate family settled in Sequim, Washington, where Chad attended Sequim High School. His favorite pastime was wrestling. Chad wrestled throughout his high school career and was very competitive. While still in high school, Chad joined the Fire Explorer program with Clallam County Fire District #3.

In the spring of 1996, at just 20 years old, Chad tested and was hired as a career firefighter/EMT. Shortly after, while maintaining his work schedule, Chad enrolled in a paramedic program and became a paramedic. Chad loved and lived the fire service; he was a very passionate paramedic and a very knowledgeable firefighter.

Chad also had a passion for firefighter survival and firefighter self-rescue; he taught those techniques to his coworkers because it was so important to him. It was not long before Chad would test to become an officer; he became a lieutenant and later a captain. He was a very approachable officer. Many of his coworkers said that Chad had a very relaxed, mellow, and levelheaded personality which made him easy to talk to and a great mentor. Young future firefighters would seek Chad out for advice, and he was always gracious in spending his time with them.

Besides firefighting, Chad’s other passion was wrestling. He became a wrestling referee for the local high schools, and when there was an opening, Chad became the head coach for the Sequim High School wrestling team. Chad’s team loved him as their coach; he spent countless hours in his off time working on building a winning team.

All this came to a tragic end when, in the early morning of January 12, 2023, Charles T. Cate ll answered his last alarm.

Chad left behind his beloved wife, Renee; a three-year-old boy, Charles T. Cate lll; two adult children, Ashleigh and Harrison, both of whom are serving in the military; and his six siblings. Chad was a devout family man. He loved his family so much, and he will be forever missed. His family and his friends were his everything, and none of us will ever be the same.

Chad was a very smart, compassionate man. The hole he has left in the hearts of his family, his fire brothers and sisters, and his wrestlers can never be filled. He is gone but not forgotten.