Dexter Martin Tate, 85, of Dunlap, TN, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at Manor House Assisted Living Center in Chattanooga.
Since 1958, Mr.Tate and wife, Juanita, operated numerous businesses in Dunlap, including Tate's Super Market, City Motors, Tate Chrysler-Plymouth & Dodge, and Dunlap Restaurant. He was a Life Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, member and chairman of the Sequatchie County School Board for 18 years, veteran of the Korean Conflict, was instrumental in the development of Sequatchie Haven Senior Apartments, and was active in various civic and community endeavors. He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Congregational Methodist Church in the Cagle Community.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Donna Cheryl Tate; parents, Luther and Delilah SmithTate, of the Cagle Community; brothers, Vince Tate, Quay Tate and Alden Tate of Dunlap; sisters, Bonnie Seals and Virgie Land, of McMinnville, Iva Harmon and Pearl Minton, of Dunlap; and son-in-law, Mark McGuire, of Mexia, TX.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Juanita Whitlow Tate; children, Valerie McGuire of Mexia, TX, Angela Cook and husband, Randy, of Laurel, MS and Marty Tate and wife, Brandy, of Dunlap; 13 grandchildren, Ashley (McGuire) Cargile and husband, Marty, of Mexia, TX, Jessica (Cook) Stroo and husband, Casey, Tyler Cook and wife, Megan and Zachary Cook, all of Laurel, MS, Jaimie, Joshua, Jonathan, Jacob, Jesse, Rebekah, Timothy, Jackson and Anna Tate of Dunlap; three great-grandchildren, Aaden Cargile, Kendall Cargile and Lettie Stroo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. CST Tuesday, February 3, in the Ewton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Feazell and Rev. Howell Whited officiating. Burial will be in Cagle Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Tyler Cook, Zachary Cook, Joshua Tate, Clifford Land, Burnard Tate and Lewis Land will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. CST Monday, February 2 at the Ewton Funeral Home, who has charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37220.