Albert Gerald Tate

Albert Gerald Tate, 93, passed from this life to his eternal home on February 12, 2024, in Burleson, Texas. The viewing will be Friday, February 16, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lucas and Blessing Funeral Home, 518 SW Johnson Ave., Burleson, Texas 76028. His service will be Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at Burleson First Church of the Nazarene, 127 SW Thomas St., Burleson, Texas 76028 with a graveside service to follow in Pioneer, Oklahoma at 2:30 PM. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of American Home Care Solutions and the staff and nurses of Freedom Hospice, Burleson First Church of the Nazarene and all our amazing family and friends for their love and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Freedom Hospice in North Richland Hills, Texas.

Gerald was born in Foss, Oklahoma on November 9, 1930, to James Watson “Watt” Tate and Julia Ida Darter Tate. He was the youngest of 9 children. He started school in Burns Flat, Oklahoma and attended there until third grade when the family moved to Gracemont, Oklahoma. When he was in the eighth grade, they moved to Randlett, Oklahoma. His high school years were spent at Pioneer High School, west of Chickasha. While there he met Donna Loyce Jobe, whom he would later marry on October 21, 1950.

After graduation he joined the Navy and was stationed on a cargo transport in Japan. After Donna and Gerald married, Gerald pursued his dream of playing professional baseball. He was with the Chickasha Chiefs, a farm team for the New York Yankees. After one year with the Chiefs, he was sold to the San Antonio farm team, but he decided to work in the oil fields for a short stint. Gerald and Donna eventually moved back to Pioneer, Oklahoma. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1955, where they lived until 1969 and then moved to Burleson, Texas.

Gerald had his own business as a framing contractor and home builder for 30 years. In 1995 he started his own roofing company and did that until he retired. He enjoyed coaching his boys in baseball and supporting them in their many sports, watching his grand and great grandchildren in their many activities, gardening, hunting and fishing, golf, and always had a pasture filled with cattle. Gerald and Donna were members of Burleson First Church of the Nazarene where they had many friends.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Donna Tate on February 18, 2021, parents James Watson Tate and Julia Ida Tate, brothers Floyd, Orville, Alvin, Winfred, Kenneth and sisters Lona, Della V and Oreta, daughter Barbara Jean Tate, son Timothy Chris Tate, and great grandson Brody Allen Tate.
He is survived by his four sons, Gerald Dwayne Tate and wife Sonja, Mark Allen Tate and wife Melissa, James Avery Tate and wife Karla, and Douglas Wayne Tate. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Holly Johnson and husband Kurt, Katie McCullock and husband Josh, Brittany Tate and Philip Craig, Justin Tate and wife Emily, Alexis Barbour and husband Jack, Avery Fluitt and husband Shayde, Addison Tate, plus 14 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews.