James “Joe” Tate, 77, passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at his home. Joe was a member of Bayou Sara Baptist Church, Saraland, and a former Deacon and Sunday School Director at First Baptist Church, Satsuma. Joe was employed for 36 years at the Alabama Marine Police and retired as a Captain-District Supervisor. He was named Conservation Officer of the Year in 1967. He also served in the US Air Force for 11 years. Joe loved gospel music, especially quartet music and sang Bass in several quartets over his lifetime. Joe is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Nita; 2 sons, Joel and his wife Lenore; Victor and his wife, Julie; 1 daughter, Melody Woodard and her husband, Chuck; 8 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Joe was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Brianne Lee. The family will receive friends from 10 A.M. until 11 A.M. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Radney Funeral Home, Saraland. Graveside services and interment will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.
