Jack Tate

Weslaco/Harlingen- Jack Preston Tate, 79, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2016 in Harlingen. Jack was born on November 29, 1936 at Daddy Hutto's house on Hutto Road in Donna, Tx to James Tate and Marion Hutto Smith Tate. His father, James Tate passed away when Jack was 18. He was raised by his mother Marion and Fred Gilmore.

Jack graduated from Weslaco High School and attended Pan American University as an Accounting major. During his high school and college years he worked at Burton Auto as a junior accountant. He later served as a Army Reservist earning the rank of E8 Sergeant. Jack became an accountant with Mothershead, Hamilton, Day & Mayo in the late 1960's. Years later he became employed with Boggus Ford as an accountant. He would later become the General Manager of Boggus Ford in Harlingen, a position he held for thirteen years. Because of his experience in the industry, Jack decided to pursue his dream of owning and operating his own Ford - Mercury dealership. Prior to opening Tate Ford Mercury Jack was also general manager of Valley Beverage, Inc. and Sentry Systems of McAllen, Tx. He opened Tate Ford - Mercury in Raymondville, Tx in the early 1980s. After many years in Harlingen and Raymondville he decided to move back home to Weslaco where he worked as a financial planner until his retirement.

He was very active in Civic and Clubs, those being the Six Shooters Club, Jaycees, Rotary Club -1975-1976 President of Harlingen North and President of Raymondville Rotary from 1986-1987. He received many awards with these organizations and remained an active Rotarian in Weslaco until his death. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen and First Baptist Church of Weslaco. He was also active for many years in (BSF) Bible Study Fellowship in McAllen, Tx.

Jack had many hobbies which included fishing, hunting, water skiing, camping, and golfing. In his younger years he enjoyed playing tennis with a group of close friends at his favorite location , Pendleton Park.

He is survived by his children, Brett Preston Tate (Susan), who he resided with, Mark Preston Tate of Arlington, Tx., Stepson Buck Ashcraft, Jr. of Austin, Tx., Grandchildren; Chrissy Dunn (James) of Odessa, Tx., Regan Tate of Harlingen, Tx. Winston Brooks Bliss Tate of Harlingen, Tx. ,Preston Riley Tate of The Woodlands Tx., Sarah Tate of Arlington, Tx., Brother; Paul Gilmore (Carol) of Katy, Tx; numerous special nieces and nephews and one great grandson Jude Matthew Dunn. He was preceded in death by his parents , his wife Georgie Youngblood Tate and stepson Tommy Ashcraft. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 20th from 4pm to 8 pm and funeral services will be held on Monday at 10am at The First Baptist Church in Weslaco. Internment will be at Donna City Cemetery, Donna, Tx. Pallbearers are Winston Tate, Jeff Walker, John Lackey, Dr Hector Montalvo, Manny Gautreaux, and Bill Swinnea. The family would like to thank Three special angels ; Thelma Marroquin , Bertha Suarez and Vickie Wilt who looked out for his best interests as best they could. A special Thanks to Lupita, Dr. Shridhar Kotta and his nurse Isabel for their care and support. Daddy had many friends, too numerous to mention, please know he loved you all.