William Franklin Frank Pate
September 29, 1945 ~ February 28, 2020
William Franklin “Frank” Pate, 74, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife, Joan, at his side. Frank was born September 29, 1945, to Regina and Manoah Pate in Oakland, CA. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology with a degree in Economics. After graduating from Caltech he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was trained in the signal core. He served for 21 months in Vietnam. Frank had a passion to learn the arts and crafts of his ancestors. His interests in these crafts lead to his employment as an aircraft cabinetmaker. He retired after 26 years with Hiller, Inc. Frank had a beautiful tenor voice and loved to sing in the choir. He was preceded in death by his parents, Regina and Manoah Pate; sister, Mary Jane Papavasiliou; and Marty, his wife of 35 years. He is survived by his wife, Joan; and her children, Jeff Richardson and his children, Casey and Sydney, Terri (Ziad) Jabara and their children, James, Johnny, and Joseph; sister-in-law, Kaye Walker; nephew, Alexi and wife, Julie Papavasiliou and their children, Liam and Lila, and Nell Papavasiliou and husband, David Hampton, and their children, Henry and Megan. Special thanks for the love and support by his friends and the Phoenix Hospice caregivers. FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED and will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the ALS Association, Mid-America Chapter, 3450 N. Rock Rd. #211, Wichita, KS 67226. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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Frank was like a brother and we shared so many good times. He was kind and generous and had such a zest for life. I will miss him so much. My dear sis, I am so happy you and Frank found each other and shared so many memories. Kaye
Frank and I were classmates at Cal Tech. We shared many memorable moments during our undergraduate education there. His interest in music was encouraged by my Mother, who played the violin. Frank was diligent in writing ever year to me and to Mother at Christmas with his annual rendition of the events of the year. In one of Frank’s letters to Mother he expressed his appreciation for the musical support and encouragement he received from her, who died last year at the age of 101 1/2. I last saw Frank & Joan in January 2017 when they passed through Houston on one of their motorhome vacation trips. It was really good to see him and Joan after so many years. He had not changed much from earlier days. Frank was a good guy and a loyal friend. I will miss him.
Rest William, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God. Thank you for your service to this nation.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.