Danny Pate

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Bernie Deffinger officiating.

Burial will follow at Memory Hill Gardens. The family will receive friends during visitation beginning at 1:00 pm, one hour prior to the service.

He was born in Okinawa, Japan on June 5, 1952. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rita Robertson Pate; his son Jason Pate (Jennifer); daughter Haley Hitt (Jeremy); grandsons, Zeb Daniel Thrash Pate (Haley), Braden Layne Hitt; granddaughters Ella Grace Pate and Barrett Lynn Hitt, all of Tuscaloosa. Mother Yoshi Pate, of Tuscaloosa and father, Lynn Thrash, of Hoover. Sister Donna Pickard (Dale) and niece Carleigh Pickard. Half siblings Cheryl Pate, Melinda Santiago and Steve Thrash, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by James Pate, grandparents Earlene Pate, Mr. and Mrs. Kama Nakahodo, stepmother Mable Thrash, in laws Billy & Rose Holliman, sister-in-law Wanda Harless, brother-in-law Dwight Robertson and nephew Scott Harless.

He loved and appreciated his wife Rita for always staying by his side through sickness and in health. He loved his kids and would do anything for them. Whether it be cooking a meal, spending hours in his shop building a piece of furniture they wanted or being laughed at for misquoted common idioms. He lived for his grandkids and spoiled them rotten. If they asked for sushi, pork bites, smash burgers, Fried Rice and Yakisoba, he made it.

He owned Alabama Grill for 15 years. If you had the pleasure of knowing Danny, whether as family, friend or previous customer you know he loved to cook and that is how he showed his love. So, if he ever made you food, know you were loved by him.

He spoke fondly of the relationships he made as a coach and board member at Cottondale Dixie Youth Ballpark. He loved the Atlanta Braves and Alabama Football.

Pallbearers will be Zeb Pate, Braden Hitt, W.C. Gaddy, Jeff Ewing, David Ewing, Jack Hallmark, Matthew Green, Jacob Green. Honorary Pallbearers Dario Cusak and DCH MICU doctors & nurses.