Kenneth Pate

Kenneth (Jerry) Pate was born September 13, 1929 in Damon, Oklahoma to Kenneth Ike and Rena Mae (Harvey) Pate. A lifelong Tulsa resident, he went to be with our Lord Monday, April 20, 2009 at the age of 79 surrounded by loved ones.

He was raised in Anderson Creek, Oklahoma where he attended grade school and the Buffalo Valley High School. He joined the Navy and was stationed in Genoa, Italy and served aboard the USS Ernest G. Small Carrier Ship from 1947 to 1950. Upon his return, he attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton receiving his Associates degree. He worked for Bethlehem Steel for a short time and then at Douglas Aircraft in the painting and purchasing departments. He later joined American Airlines, where he worked for 34 years retiring from the Purchasing and Warranty Department.

Ken dedicated 8 years of service to the Tulakogee Conference Center for the Baptist Association and was a member of the Ranch Acres Baptist Church in Tulsa. He always enjoyed sharing scriptures from the bible with others. Ken loved flying and held a private pilots' license. He enjoyed fishing, horse shoes and spending time with family and friends. He particularly looked forward to his family reunions at Robbers Cave in Wilburton every July. Ken was a dedicated dad, grandfather and brother. He was known as "Uncle Ken" to many and was a friend to all who knew him. He will be remembered and missed by all of us.

Ken is in heaven at a reunion of his own with his mom and dad; his grandson, Kendall Pate; his brother, Johnny Pate; and, his sisters, Beatrice Anderson and Lavada Phipps, all of whom preceded him in death. Ken is survived by his children, Jerry and Jana Pate, both of Tulsa; grandson, Forrest Pate of Moore, OK; sister and brother-in-law, Lahoma and Delbert Hotubbee of Tuskahoma, OK; brother, Robert "Bobby" Pate of McAlester, OK; brother and sister-in-law Jacky and Lucy Pate of Talihina, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to thank those friends who visited with him often and the many caregivers who were there through this difficult time for Ken and his family.