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In memory of

James Edward Tate

Decatur, GA, USA

June 19, 1937 - February 16, 2021

Jun 19, 1937 - Feb 16, 2021

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James Edward Tate Sr. passed away on February 16, 2021, at the age of 83 from complications caused by Covid-19 at his senior residence in Decatur, GA. He had been battling illness and dementia for years and is at peace now. I am happy to have seen him last summer and that my daughters, Zoe and Mia, were able to see their granddad while he could still smile and enjoy their company. In healthier times, my father was a sharp witted storyteller and life of the party. He always had a colorful anecdote to regale listeners who would erupt with laughter. He was born June 19, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was raised by his mother, Lillie Mae Lovingood. She preceded him in death.

He attended Simmons Elementary School and from a young age had to walk eight blocks to school. This instilled in him early on a determination to always seek education and to succeed by hard work. While at Sumner High School, he excelled at running track & field which earned him several medals. James later developed a passion for golf and loved many sports all his life.

After high school, he married Gertrude Barnes. They had a son Cameron who was born in St Louis. They eventually moved to Detroit and a daughter Chandra was born.

He attended Harris-Stowe Teachers College followed by Wayne State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. James took a job at IBM where he honed his talents as a salesman of large mainframe computers such as the System/360. He was well respected for his skill and acknowledged for his salesmanship. While at IBM he received several accolades and commendations that attested to his impact as a salesman. “Dear Jim”, wrote one executive, “Congratulations to you on winning the ‘Mr. New Business Executive Contest’ for the month of June!”, “Congratulations on the outstanding sales job which netted you, among other things, a District Manager’s Award for November.” There was also an article published in IBM’s newsletter entitled “Top Salesman Makes Mark as Instructor at Detroit BSC” attesting that “Jim is a real go-getter, and the kind of man anyone would be proud to have representing their interests,” followed by several other memos and notifications which he kept in his “brag book”.

During this time, he and Gertrude divorced. Later James married Faye Smith and they had two sons, James and Gerald. This marriage also ended in divorce. Subsequently he married Leverne Bullock.

He is survived by his sisters Elizabeth Rhodes, Patricia Louis, Lillie Pearl Lovingood and Deborah Johnson, and ex-wife Gertrude and their children Cameron Edward Tate, Chandra Georgette Odneal (Michael), his ex-wife Faye and their children James Edward Tate Jr (Valisa) and Gerald Wesley Tate (Kira Alford) and 5 grandchildren Barris Hawkins (Glenda), Nelson Tate, Willow Tate, Zoe Tate and Mia Tate and 2 great grandchildren Larissa Hawkins and Linden Hawkins all of whom he loved dearly. He also leaves to cherish his memory a special friend Millie Richards and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Dementia Society of America.

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