Larry was born on March 21, 1935 in Upland, CA to the late Paul Edward Tate and Ethel Martha Brumbaugh Tate.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn Ennis Maynard; daughters Michelle Elizabeth Williams and Colleen Sue Tate; granddaughters Kristen, Amy and Dana Williams; and brothers Edward, Arthur and Paul Tate.
He loved his wife and family and always added laughter to any visit. Larry graduated from Muskingham College and the University of Michigan Law School. He was a former City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem of Burbank, CA and also served on the Los Angeles Olympic and Rose Bowl Committees.
Larry joined Golden Corral Corporation in 1984 as Vice President of Development. Prior to this time, he had held top management positions at Baskin-Robbins, Orange Julius, Manpower, Inc. and Shakey’s Pizza. In 1989, Larry was given the task of developing a franchise system for Golden Corral, and in 1990 he became the company’s first Senior Vice President of Franchising. Under the thirteen years of his leadership, the company’s franchise operations grew to represent 80% of Golden Corral’s total business, and Golden Corral became widely recognized as the number one franchisor in its restaurant category. In 2013, in recognition of Larry’s contribution to creation and growth of Golden Corral’s franchise system, the company established the “Larry Tate Distinguished Service Award”. This award is given annually to the franchisee that has made the greatest contribution to the Golden Corral brand.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2015 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton St., Raleigh. A reception will follow the service at Christ Church. Burial will be held in Burbank, CA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covenant House, 461 Eighth Ave. New York, NY 10001.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC 27605, (919) 828-4311.
Condolences may be made through www.brownwynne.com.
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