Dodge City - Catarino R. "John" "Mr. Cat" Amaro, 85, died November 7, 2011 at Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City. He was born on March 22, 1926 in the Mexican Village in Dodge City, the son of Juan P. and Petra (Ruiz) Amaro.

John worked at Jones Packing, Dodge City Meat, Stottler's Grocery Store, Cow Town, and the Golden Corral all in Dodge City. He served in the U.S. Army where he was baker.

He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and was a past Grand Knight, and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus all of Dodge City. John was also a lifetime member of Howard Gotschall Post #1714 V.F.W. and the Charles Earnest Scott Post #47 American Legion both of Dodge City, and the American G.I. Forum.

John is survived by four sons, Robert Florez and wife Mary, and David T. Amaro both of Dodge City, Richard Amaro, Topeka, and Patrick "Jaime" Amaro and wife Sue, Ford; three daughters, Melinda Romesburg and husband Rex and Preciliana Amaro and companion Eddie Trujillo both of Dodge City and Lisa Amaro, Wichita; one brother, Gilbert Amaro, Yukon, Oklahoma; four sisters, Jane Hernandez, Los Angles, California, Santos Higaderda, Ignacia Zisumbo, and Frances Zisumbo all of Ogden, Utah; 42 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; and numerous great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers Victor, Matthew, Marshal, Simon and four sisters Nellie, Angela, Olivia, Alejandra.

Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Ted Skalsky presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City with military rites by Howard Gotschall Post #1714 V.F.W. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Thursday, November 10, 2011 from noon to 5:00 PM. Vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Catarino Amaro Memorial Fund.