Gary J. Pate

Mr. Gary James Pate, 78, of Elizabethton, passed away on Monday, May 31, 2021, at his home following an extended illness. He was the son of late Jesse and Kathryn Taylor Pate.

Gary was retired from Tetrick Funeral Home as a funeral assistant. One of his favorite ministries was the 12 years as the chaplain at Ivy Hall Nursing Home. He was member of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, where he taught the Adult Sunday School Class. Gary enjoyed studying the Bible and teaching those around him the Bible. In his spare time, he enjoyed hiking, traveling and watching westerns.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 50 years Charlotte Bice Pate, of the home; one sister, Kathy (Vanoy) Easley, of Pittsburg, TX; and his chosen grandson, Michael Scott Bandarra, of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A service to celebrate the life of Gary James Pate will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 3, 2021 in the Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Johnson and Pastor Mark Potter officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church, prior to the service on Thursday.

The graveside service will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Tom Pleasant, Carroll McKinney, Lester Bennett, Julius Waters, Carl Harrison and Vanoy Easley. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church at 9:15 AM on Friday to go in procession to the cemetery.

The family would like to thank Amedysis Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care shown to Gary during his illness.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in honor of Gary.

Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com, Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is honored to serve the family of Gary Pate. Office 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917.