Joseph Earl (Joe) Pate, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joseph E. “Joe” Pate, Jr., 87, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his family at 5:40 PM, Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at the McPherson Hospital. Joe was born February 20, 1929 at Independence, Kansas to Joseph Earl Pate, Sr. and Effie Mae (Snyder) Pate. He grew up and attended grade school in Independence and graduated from the Independence High School in 1947. Joe then attended the Independence Junior College where he played football. In 1949, Joe began attending the McPherson College where he was an all-conference football player. He graduated from McPherson with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He later continued his education and received a Master of Science degree in education from the Fort Hays State University. Joe was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Ball on June 30, 1951. Their wedding was held at 6:00 am since Mary thought that was the most beautiful time of the day! Joe and Mary were blessed with four children, T.J., Lee, Beth and Joy. Joe and Mary celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary on June 30th of this year. One month after their wedding, Joe entered the United States Army, serving in the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, Joe began his teaching career at Randall, Kansas. Later, he taught and coached sports at the Esbon High School, then the Phillipsburg Junior High School and became the Superintendent of Schools at Bird City, Kansas. In 1967, Joe and his family moved to Clearwater, Kansas where Joe was the principal of the elementary and middle school. Joe retired from the educational field in 1989 after serving for over 35 years. In 1990, Joe and Mary moved to their current home in McPherson, Kansas. Always being a “real people person”, Joe began his second career as a stocker and carry-out person at the Dillon's grocery in McPherson. He continued working there for 23 years and finally retired the second time. Joe and Mary were devoted Christians. Joe's spiritual walk began when, as a young boy, living in Independence he was invited to Sunday School by a neighbor. Joe gave his life to Christ as a young boy and began to faithfully walk with Jesus. Through the years, Joe became more devoted in his walk with Jesus and exhibited that by his faithful leadership, commitment and membership to the local churches where they lived. Joe and Mary were an integral part of the Clearwater Church of the Nazarene followed by many years of faithful service at the McPherson Church of the Nazarene. Joe and Mary were recognized by the General Church of the Nazarene on two occasions, when they were given the Distinguished Service Award for their consistent servant hearts, both in the churches and the communities in which they served.Joe loved working in his yard and building and maintaining the landscaping areas of their home. He also loved working on and repairing all kinds of antiques, along with making toys for their grandchildren. Joe was a real family man. If anyone ever asked Joe if he loved his family, his response was a resounding, “You Betcha!” One of the best things Joe ever did was to end his prayers asking God to “be with our big ones and little ones.” Joe Pate was known throughout his teaching career as “Mr. Pate”, however after moving to McPherson, he was just known as “Joe.” However, as his family grew, his grandkids called him “Papa”.Joe is survived by: His loving wife, Mary of the home. One Son, Lee Pate and his wife, Jann of Newport, Oregon. Two Daughters, Beth Norman and her husband, Stan of Abilene, Kansas and Joy Hoffman and her husband, Marlan of Parsons, Kansas; Eight Grandchildren: Joseph Charles, “J.C.” Norman and his wife, Melissa; Erica (Hoffman) Shrout and her husband, Nathan; Kendra Norman, Lynn Hoffman and his wife, Melissa; Bryce Norman; Aaron Hoffman; Carter Pate and Carson Pate. Ten Great-grandchildren: Cadence, Braden, Emma, Colby, Parker, Christian, Caleb, Tyndall, Piper and Nash; He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Edwin and Leon Ball and a sister-in-law Rhoda Pate, numerous nieces and nephews as well as thousands of students!In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his oldest son, T.J. who died in 1959, as well as five brothers, James, Raymond, Carl, Bobby and Ronnie Pate.The family will receive friends at the Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home from 5 to 7 PM, Friday.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 3, 2016 at the Church of the Nazarene in McPherson. Burial will be at the North Inman Cemetery, Inman, Kansas.Memorial contributions are suggested to the McPherson Church of the Nazarene and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.