Mr. Ralph Cole Tate

Ralph Cole Tate, age 70, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

Ralph was preceded in death by his mother, Marian Cole Tate, father, Ralph Vincent Tate, and his brother-in-law, James Mathews.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Debbie Brannon Tate, loving sister, Lucia Ann Tate Mathews Jarvis(Thomas), nephew James Cole Mathews and niece,

Christene Mathews Woodley(Shane), grand nephews Andrew Woodley, 12 and Tyler Woodley, 9. He is also survived by his grand nieces, Holly Rae Mathews, 12,

Casey Cole Mathews, 9 and Grace Ann Woodley, 5.

Ralph was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in Mentor, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Ralph continued his friendships from Mentor and Athens, Ohio.

Ralph worked as a plate glass sales man for PPG and later he and Debbie owned and operated R & D Improvements, Inc.

He was loving, kind and generous to his nephew Jimmy and niece Chrissy. Whenever Uncle Ralph and Aunt Debbie came to visit in Ohio our world revolved around them. Their visit was the highlight of our year. The same when we visited in Alpharetta.

Ralph grilled outside as much as possible and everyone loved his glazed pork tenderloin and my favorite, blue cheese and garlic burgers.

Jimmy and Chrissy said Uncle Ralph was the funniest person they had ever met. He had a special relationship with his nephew and niece and the grand nieces and nephews. He was a great teaser. Uncle Ralph and Andrew had been texting each other for over a year and both of them enjoyed and looked forward to it.

As with his family and all people, Ralph was funny, loving and supportive. My favorite memory was coming into their kitchen in Alpharetta and always seeing Ralph sitting on his chair at the counter, towel under his elbow, watching sports or Fox News.

Their time together ended too soon and without warning. Ralph will always be with Debbie in her heart. At the end Ralph was living a vibrant, happy and active life. He will be missed and loved by all who had known him.

Ralph delighted in fishing with Gene Raby in the Chattahoochee River. He and Gene were tubing and fishing on July 31st and were trying out the new anchor Ralph had just made.

Ralph and Debbie's 32 years together allowed them to live and work together in harmony. They knew how to compromise and had the greatest respect for each other. Their home was a reflection of their lives. Debbie maintained a host of family pictures throughout the house and has a beautiful large waterfall and outside gardens and plantings.