Gene Pate

Gene Pate passed from this life and entered a better place after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.

Gene was born on October 30, 1937 in Sweetwater to W.R. and Stella Mae (Sanders) Pate. The family moved to Snyder in 1944 where Gene graduated from Snyder High School in 1956.

Snyder High School is where Gene met the love of his life Dian Parks, and on June 6, 1958 the couple married and enjoyed 53 wonderful years of marriage.

Gene was a hard worker, dedicated to making a living and providing for his family. He started his career at Clark Lumber Company and Forrest Lumber Company before settling at Texaco Gas Plant in Snyder wheree he worked for 27 years.

Gene"s main focus was his family and he also enjoyed cotton farming and raising his cows and donkeys. Gene was a man of his word with a firm handshake. He was honest and hard working and was known for always being willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors.

Gene and Dian have a wonderful family, including three children, Shauna Pate Ward and husband Keith of San Angelo, Jennifer Pate Golden and husnad Shane of San Angelo and Jimmy Pate of Belle Chasse, La., and a very special granddaughter, Jessica Gambrell of San Angelo. He is also survived by his brother, Tommy Pate and wife Shirley of Snyder; three nieces, Peggy Jordan, Penny Roberson and Patrica West, all of Snyder.

Services will be held Sunday, April 1, 2012 at @PM at Colonial Hill Baptist Church with Dr. Tommy Culwell and Mr. Bill Kimmel Officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Gardens under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kelly Clarkson, Troy Lilly, Morris Head, Bruce Slaughter, Billy Jack Wilson, Keith Ward, Daryl Meador and Jim Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Churchm Lawton Taylor, M.P. Herring and the adult men"s Sunday school class and Colonial Hill Baptist Church.

Special thanks go to Dr. James Kirk, Dr. Davor Vugrin and the wonderful nurses on 5 East and ICU at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. Also, Julie Glass just for being there.

"We will miss you Pops, you have taught us such strength and courage. May you rest in peace."

Visitation will be held form 6-7 PM Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.