Ryan Timothy Cates, 44, of Savannah, GA, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Born in Columbia, South Carolina on January 15, 1980, he was a son of John "Bob" Robert Cates, Jr. (Cathy) and Sylvia Faye Swygert Tandon (Roger).

Ryan attended Gulf Coast State College and was the owner of Grease Lightning Restaurant Services in Savannah, GA. He was a loving, free spirit who enjoyed traveling the world and being outdoors. Ryan had an outgoing personality with a contagious smile that brought joy to those around him. He was loved and will be dearly missed by many.

Ryan was a Christian, who relied upon his faith, a positive light, who loved helping other people, he never met a stranger, he was high energy whether working out, managing and working in his business (built from scratch) or reading and studying his morning devotion. His caring personality was a gift that attracted many people to want to be around him.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by siblings, Corinne Cates, Lindsey Dawson, Miranda Crout (Marc), Christi Jensen, Michael Tandon, and Alex Tandon; uncles, Ronnie Cates (Patricia), Ted Swygert (Marilyn) Marion Swygert (Donna); nieces, Sedona (Cayce), Ava, Mahala DeHart, Kyleigh Crout, Angel Crout, Emmy Cates, Lilly Cates, Penelope Cates; nephews, Manny Colon, Taylor Crout, Jacob Jensen, Nelson Cates; great nephews and niece, Solar, Carbon & Sea; cousins, Amy Cates (Alex), Ron Cates (Nicki), Stacy, Allison, Dorothy Faye, and Teddy; as well as many friends and extended family members. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Marion & Faye Swygert; John (Johnny) Robert Cates, Sr. and Katherine (Kitty) Cates; and uncle, Timothy Swygert.

The Celebration of Life for Mr. Cates will be held at 2 o'clock on Thursday June 20th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 1 o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous or a nonprofit organization of your choice.

A livestream of the service will be available under "Current Webcast" at ShivesFuneralHome.com.