Frederick Earl Pate

Frederick Earl Pate, born on March 21, 1933, in Whistler, Alabama to Samuel Bascomb Pate and Lee Ola Gavin, passed away at the age of 92 at The Retreat in Mobile, Alabama on September 13, 2025.  He was a man who lived his life with purpose, guided by his faith in Christ, love for his family and unwavering service to his country. Frederick was a proud graduate of Murphy High School, Class of 1951. His first job, bagging groceries at a store on Government Street, marked the beginning of a strong work ethic and dedication to helping others. As a young teen, he travelled to Texas to help his sister, Sula, maintain a motel she managed. He saved his money to return home to take the family car on road trips along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Notably, despite driving a car on these trips, he never obtained a driver’s license – a testament to his unique character.

A deeply spiritual man, Frederick’s desire to serve the Lord led him to a summer Bible class in Tennessee. Though he longed to spread the Gospel, his family’s motto, “Do whatever it takes”, led him to a different path – one of service to his country. Less than a month after graduation, Frederick followed his older brother’s footsteps into the military, joining the United States Air Force. After bootcamp and training at the West Texas State College, he was stationed in Kyoto, Japan during the Korean War. He often recounted the bitter-cold he experienced there, memories that stayed with him the rest of his life. He took a temporary retirement before permanently separating from the Air Force due to service connected disabilities.

Though he never married or had children, he became a beloved uncle in the lives of his extended family. His home was always open – to visit, to stay, or simply be surrounded by love and warmth. He lived in Gulfport, Mississippi, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Port Allen, Louisiana before finally returning to his beloved Alabama at the young age of 84.

In his later years, Frederick found joy in the simple pleasures of life – shopping, reading the Scripture, playing the piano and singing in his assisted living facility and rehabilitation facilities, and indulging in the fine cuisine of the South. His favorite foods were raw oysters, seafood gumbo, fried chicken, and chicken and dumplings. He could often be found at Wintzell’s Oyster House savoring a dozen raw oysters. Coffee with cream and sugar was to be had every day and a Coca-Cola with crushed ice was his second drink of choice. He often craved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at odd hours of the night and he loved Hershey bars.

Frederick often reminisced of his time spent on the Tensaw River fishing for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. He loved living in the State House while his father was employed as a bridge tender for the Alabama Department of Transportation. He recalled a summer squall sinking his boat and leaving him stranded in the bay. He had saved his money while working at Autrey’s fishing camp and purchased a small outboard motor. He prayed for strength and was able to retrieve his motor and swim to shore. He said he never went fishing again.

Frederick was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Beulah Pate Bartee (Lyman), Imogene Pate Hartley (Ernest Sr.), Luverne Rose Pate, Mable Pate Waite (William), Sara Leola Pate, and Annie May Pate; and his brothers: Sidney Broxton Pate, Eugene Lowell Pate (Evelyn, Evangeline), William Woodrow Pate, Theos Herman “Hot” Pate, Cleos Therman “Chick” Pate (Mabel), Samuel Bascomb Pate, Jr., and Horace Herbert “Jack” Pate. He was also preceded in death by the family’s care giver, Carolyn Bell.

He is survived by his guardian and niece Brenda Burns (Pete) and his nephew Tommy Pate, and many other cherished family members who will forever hold him in their hearts.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Veterans Administration for their care and attention to Frederick’s disabilities, and to all the aides, techs, nurses, doctors, chaplains, and others who provided care and compassion throughout his life, particularly during the later years. Special gratitude is given to his private sitters, Sandra, Shirley and Renea, whose kindness and devotion brought peace, comfort, and love in his final days. May God bless you all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to your favorite charity or church of your choice in loving memory of Frederick.

Frederick Earl Pate’s life was one of service, devotion, and deep love for his family and faith. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His legacy of kindness, strength, and service will live on in the hearts of those he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.

Friends are invited to join the family for services on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Rd., Biloxi, MS 39531. Visitation will be held from 1230 until 1:30 PM with the funeral service following at 1:30 PM. Mr. Pate will then be laid to rest at Biloxi National Cemetery with military Honors. 

Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories and photos at www.riemannfamily.com