Ronald Gene Pate

Ronald Gene Pate, 77 of Bloomington died Tuesday November 4, 2014 as the result of an automobile accident in Hope, Arkansas. He was born February 1, 1937 in Bloomington, IN to Willie Edward Pate and Edith Marie Elliot Pate. He was retired from the Bloomington Fire Department. Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Thornberry and her husband Michael of Louisville, Kentucky; a son, Mark Pate of Loogootee, Indiana; two brothers, Austin Pate of Willis, Texas and Donald Pate and his wife Val of Richmond, Virginia; a sister, Lois Byrd of Bloomington; five grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Michael Pate; and two sisters, Francis Pate and Virginia Lee Pate; who both died in childhood and one brother, James Edward Pate. He died along with his wife, Donna Jo Wilson Pate; one brother, Phillip Pate; a sister, Connie Richards and a close family friend, Gloria Bryant. Memberships include 1st Church of the Nazarene where he was a member of the board, a Sunday school teacher and choir member and with Donna at his side worked with Prime Time, Headed TLC , started the prayer blanket ministry as well as a host of other positions and the retired Fire Fighters Association. Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 1:00 PM in Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E Third St with Dr. James Hicks and Reverend Al Dicer officiating. Burial will follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2014 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM in the funeral home. If friends so desire Memorial Contributions may be made to the Building Restoration Fund of 1st Church of the Nazarene, 700 W Howe St, Bloomington, IN 47401 Online condolences may be left for the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com