Dates
Weldon Dee Tate went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Tate was born on April 1, 1926, in Winters, Texas, to William Franklin and Maye Etta Ryals Tate. He served in the Navy during WWII from 1944-1946 on the USS Gilliam. Tate eloped with Ila Dean Foreman and married her on Sept. 23, 1950, in Hobbs, N.M. He was a wench truck driver for several power line construction companies and he later worked at the Tom Green Water District 1 until retiring in 1989. Tate was a faithful member of Belmore Baptist church until his failing health prevented his attendance. Tate was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Pauline. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ila Dean Tate; his daughters, Donna Keese and husband George of Sonora, Texas, Sherry Cooper and husband Ray of San Angelo, Texas, Sandra Benson of Sadler, Texas and Rhonda Reed and husband Dan of Veribest, Texas, their eight grandchildren, Jimmy Keese, Dawn Roubison, Amanda Berrie, James Tate (JT) Cooper, Bambi Pelzel, Shane Benson, Amber Palmer and Nicole Hamilton; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise Thompson and husband JT of Valera, Texas; and three nieces. Family visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at Belmore Baptist Church with burial to follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Buddy Walker, Frank Meyers, Cloyd Burson, Ronnie Neighbors, Truman Richey and Greg Buchanan. Honorary pallbearers will be his Friendship Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Belmore Baptist Church, Hospice of San Angelo, or the Lighthouse for the Blind. Family and friends may sign an online register book atwww.johnsons-funeralhome.com.