11/05/2025
Ronald A. Cathey
September 29, 1944 – November 1, 2025
Ronald Allen Cathey, 81, of Lexington, SC died November 1, 2025. Born in Lexington, KY, he was the son of Ted W. and Jessie Gibbs Cathey.
He grew up in Lexington with his sister and graduated from Henry Clay High School in Lexington, KY in 1962. He entered the University of Kentucky on a partial Journalism scholarship and served as the school’s Assistant Sports Publicity Director until his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1966. At that time he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, having completed the ROTC Program there, graduating with honors. He was assigned to the flying training program for Navigators at Mather AFB, Calif., graduating in 1967. His first assignment was to Charleston AFB, SC to the 41st Military Airlift Squadron, flying the C-141 aircraft. While there he met and married Susan Elizabeth McGee. Later that year he transitioned to the C-5A aircraft as part of the initial cadre and was assigned to the 3rd Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston, SC. In 1973, he was reassigned to the 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at George AFB, CA to transition to the F-4. Upon completion of the course, he was reassigned to the 67th TFS at Kadena AB, Okinawa in Sept. 1974 as a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) flying the F-4 aircraft. In 1977 he was transferred to the 36th TFS at Osan AB, Korea as an Asst. Flight Commander of a squadron providing a deterrent to aggression against the Republic of Korea. In this role he flew F-4C, D, E and slated E aircraft. Upon completion of this remote tour, he was reassigned to the 3rd Military Airlift Squadron (MAC) at Dover AFB, DE flying the C-5A transport aircraft. He served as a Flight Simulator Instructor, Flying Instructor and Plans Officer. In 1982 he was reassigned to Langley AFB, VA to the 1st Supply Squadron (TAC) as the Wing/Base Management and Procedures Officer. He served in this position until being reassigned to the 50th Supply Squadron (USAFE) Hahn AB, Germany in the summer of 1984 as the Assistant Chief of Supply. In May of 1985 he was returned to flying status as the 50th TAC Fighter Wing’s Chief of Radar Strike Division where he was responsible for managing the wing’s tactical weapon nuclear strike program to include inception, development, employment and maintenance of all task and contingency targets. In 1988 he was reassigned to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), 4th Allied Tactical Air Force Europe in Heidelberg, Germany as the Assistant Chief of Staff Logistics, responsible for all logistics in peace and war, to include Plans and Policy, Infrastructure, Civilian & Military Cooperation, Fuel, Supply, Transportation, Maintenance and Medical/Health Services, supervising an international staff of US, German and Canadian personnel. In 1991 he was reassigned to the 31st Logistics Group (TAC), Homestead Air Force Base, FL as the Deputy Commander for the Group, retiring in 1992 from the United States Air Force. During his career, he completed many training courses and schools, including Squadron Officers School, Intelligence Officers School, National Security Management School and the Air Command and Staff College. Additionally he graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Southern California, receiving his Master of Science in Education. He received numerous awards and medals; among them were the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 OLCS, Air Medal, AF Commendation Medal w/3 OLCS and Vietnam Service Medal w/6 OLCS. Upon leaving the Air Force he worked for the Budget and Control Board in the Department of General Services, State of South Carolina as an Assistant Director, overseeing the State’s mail, federal & state surplus and supply systems.
Through his life he was active in numerous Masonic organizations, serving as Master (President) of Hunsruck Lodge No. 839 Raversbeuren, W. Germany, and as the District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 1 of the American Canadian Grand Lodge of Germany. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason; and in the Masonic York Rite Bodies received the Order of a Knight Crusader of the Cross (KCC) and was inducted into the Knights of the Cross of Honor (KYCH). Additionally, he was appointed by the Grand Chapter of Kentucky Royal Arch Masons and the Grand Council of Kentucky of Royal and Select Masters to be their representative to the Grand Council of Germany. He also served as Master of The Universal Brotherhood Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 1518, under the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England & Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas. He was a Shriner, belonging to Jamil Temple, Columbia, SC. He was a Deacon at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church in Lexington, SC.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Susan McGee Cathey. He is also survived by a son, Blake Gibbs Cathey (and wife Amy) of Lexington, SC, and a daughter, Kelly McGee McWatters (and husband Dennis) of Boiling Springs, SC. Also five grandchildren Logan McWatters, Aubry McWatters Clark, Allen Jones, Madelyn Cathey, and Josh Cathey. He is also survived by a sister, Kate S. Cathey of Lexington, KY.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church with Reverend Helen Harrison Ham officiating. The family will receive friends after the celebration of life in the church Fellowship Hall.
Memorials may be made to Lexington Masonic Lodge #152, in Lexington, SC.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lexington-sc/ronald-cathey-12590471