Joe was born on June 19, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Joseph Perry and Juanita Jane (Baumgartner) Tate. He graduated from Roseville High School, Class of 1957. Joe married Parise Asselin on March 24, 1962, in Roseville. They raised their family in Warren, Michigan, and in 1991, Joe moved the family to Rochester. He served faithfully as an Elder in the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 52 years.
Joe enjoyed a long career as an automobile auctioneer, working at wholesale auto auctions across the United States and Canada. He was also an accomplished pilot, holding multiple certifications including Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Instrument Instructor (A&I), and Multi-Engine (ME). He spent countless hours training and mentoring new pilots, proudly earning the nickname “The Flying Auctioneer.”
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Parise, and his sons, Jerry and Todd Tate, to whom he was deeply devoted. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Carol Jane Shaheen.
A memorial gathering and service will be held by Joe’s family on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 2pm at MSU Management Education Center, located at 811 West Square Lake Road in Troy, Michigan.