The Tate family will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Perry Creek Golf and Racquet Club to honor and celebrate the life of Gary Steve Tate, 69, who died on Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24, 2021, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and daughter after a very sudden, unexpected, but brief illness.
Steve was born on Sept. 15, 1952, in Albany, Ga. He was married to the love of his life, Debbie, for almost 40 years. They had one daughter, Kathryn (Paul), and two grandchildren, Tate and Ward, that he loved and adored more than life itself.
Steve, a lumber broker, started and owned his very own lumber company, KT Lumber Sales, Inc., for more than 30 years. He always said that if he named his business after his daughter, Kathryn Tate, that the business would never fail. After many years of a very successful business, his daughter now carries on that legacy following in her father’s footsteps, as he is still proudly watching over her.
Steve loved God, his family, his country and golf. Although he participated and excelled in most every sport with his competitive spirit, golf had always been his favorite. Besides teaching his grandchildren many life lessons – they enjoyed golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer and fishing – he also taught them a love for music. Steve was a self-taught guitar player, who loved to sing as well. Before grandchildren, Steve had lovingly devoted his time and talents in exactly the same way with his own daughter, Kathryn.
Because Steve’s father had made a career in the United States Air Force, Steve’s family had moved to many different places in the world and he loved to share stories about all his past adventures and experiences. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and friend, who gave nothing but unconditional love to all those who were a part of his life. A personal friend told Debbie and Kathryn that Steve Tate had what he liked to call a 10,000-watt heart.
Now that all of the pain and suffering are gone, Steve is now able to embrace a peace that we – family and friends – do not completely understand, but be rest assured, that special guy is playing on that great, big, beautiful golf course in the sky.
His father, Ernest Edward Tate, and his wife’s parents, Robert Conner Bills Sr. and Jean Wood Bills, preceded Steve in death.
Survivors include, his spouse, Debra Bills Tate; his daughter, Kathryn Tate Shirley (Paul); one granddaughter, Tate Rosalyn Shirley; one grandson, Paul Edward Shirley Jr. and his mother, Norma Woodall Tate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First United Methodist Church or to Grace Baptist Church, both of Grenada, or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
