Thomas A. Tate Sr., 96, of Kings Mountain, NC passed away on June 6, 2023 at Testa Hospice House in Kings Mountain, NC.

He was born in Shelby, NC to Thomas Coy and Edith Campbell Tate. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Janet Hord Tate, a son, Tommy Tate Jr., 4 brothers and 3 sisters. He dropped out of school and joined the US Navy after memorizing the eye chart and was medically discharged when he was found out. Tom was then drafted into the Army earning the rank of M/Sgt. nine months later. After serving his tour of duty in Germany he returned to Cleveland County and obtained his GED. In 1954 he entered Appalachian State Teachers College and in the fall of that year he married Janet Hord Tate. He worked two jobs while earning his business degree. After graduating in 1957 he went to work at Watson Insurance Agency in Gastonia. In 1959 he went to work at Home Savings and Loan. This was what he knew he wanted to do. It has always given him great pleasure to be able to help people and especially to help people establish new homes and save for the future. He was a member of Kings Mountain Baptist Church, where he was active, serving as treasurer and deacon. His community service included secretary/treasurer of Kings Mountain Rotary Club, United Fund Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of Kings Mountain Hospital serving as chairman several times. Tom was instrumental in founding White Plains Shrine Club. He was truly a man that exemplified his Christian faith. He not only talked the talk but also walked the walk and was a great example to his family and friends. After retirement he loved to play golf, work in the yard and eat at Linwood restaurant.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters Jane Williams (Bob), Roxanne Tate, Son Dexter C. Tate Sr. (Jerri). His grandchildren, Samantha Tate, Cati Tate, Courtney Humphries (Daniel), Cline Tate (Kacey). Great Grandchildren, Gabriel Crotts, Sophia Crotts, Luke Humphries, Hayden Humphries, Addisyn Humphries, Aurora Nascimento, and Cade Tate. Special nieces family, Brian and Cindy Cook, Macy Gordon (Alex), Britt Cook, Brayden Cook, and Clayton Cook.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE WITH MASONIC RITES: Friday June 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Mountain Rest Cemetery with Pastor Tim Whitesides officiating

VISITATION: Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Harris Funeral Home

INTERMENT: Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain, NC

MEMORIALS: Kings Mountain Baptist Church Stain Glass Fund at PO Box 608, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 or to VIA Health Partners (Hospice of Cleveland County) at 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA