Elmer Roy Pate

Elmer Roy Pate died at home on June 1st, 2009. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2009 in Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, June 8, 2009 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow the service in Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple, TX. Elmer was born August 26, 1931 to Fred Otho and Velma Lynch Pate in Nolanville, TX. After his father’s death the family moved to Killeen and from there to Temple. He served several years in the U.S. Air Force. After being discharged from the Air Force, he returned to Temple where he worked as an apprentice at Stahr Sheetmetal Shop. He later joined the Sheetmetal Worker’s Union and worked at various sheetmetal shops in Sheetmetal Local Number 67. He retired from the Sheetmetal trade in 1991. After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, especially making toys for the grandchildren. He also enjoyed trips in the RV and in addition to his wife he usually traveled 1 or 2 dogs, a cat, and a bird. While living in Temple, he met Mary Lou Cockrum, who was a student nurse at Scott and White Memorial Hospital Diploma School of Nursing. They were married on August 11, 1951 by Minister James LaFan at 7th and Avenue G. Church of Christ in Temple. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and attended the Georgetown Church of Christ since moving to Georgetown in 1962. Elmer was preceded in death by his father and mother, by two brothers, Jesse Gilmer who died in infancy and Fred Otho, Jr., and one sister, Valeria Adkins. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou; three sons, David Carroll Pate of Plano and wife Linda Jane, Jeff Lynn Cockrum of Llano and wife Becky, Gerald (Jerry) Lee Pate of Georgetown and wife Lucy; two daughters, Linda Sheryl of Coos Bay, Oregon and husband William Charles Dufner, and Peggy Elizabeth of Henderson, Tennessee and husband Bill Smith. He is also survived by five granddaughters, Deborah Pates Jones and Leslie Pate, Jennifer Mazza, Ashley Cockrum, and Sunshine Smith; seven grandsons, Roy, Aaron, Daniel and Paul Dufner, Nicholas Pate, Liberty Smith, and Jeff Cockrum, Jr. He also survived by three step-granddaughters and two step-grandsons, three great-granddaughters, and eleven step-great grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions be made in Elmer’s name to the Georgetown Church of Christ Building Fund.