Gerald Ray Pate

Gerald Ray Pate, age 77, a resident of Cape Coral, Florida passed away on November 23, 2017. He was born on November 1, 1940 in Detroit Michigan, the fifth child of the late George T. and Broadus L. Pate. Gerald was educated in the Detroit Public Schools System, graduating from Eastern High School in January 1959. He enlisted in the United States Army that same year, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas until April 1962, receiving a Good Conduct Medal and an Honorable Discharge for his service. Gerald began working at the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan in 1963 as a mail clerk. He pioneered General Motors Parts Division in 1975 moving his family from Detroit, Michigan to Waterloo, Iowa. Gerald remained a District Manager with GM Parts until the mid-90s when he then moved to GM-Service Parts Operations headquarters in Grand Blanc, Michigan where he oversaw the Engine Program for GM Parts. Gerald briefly retired after 35 years and then returned to GM as a contract employee and was a Team-Lead in the Service Parts Assistance Center. Gerald has often been called the “Trainer of Champions” as he mentored and guided MANY successful GM employees throughout his tenure. Gerald retired from General Motors after 39 years. On February 12, 1966, Gerald was joined in holy matrimony to the love of his life, Carol Ann Fallings. Born of this union was Daryl Anthony and Denise Lynn Pate. Gerald took the vowels they repeated on their wedding day as a living testimony from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “…in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part…” He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandparent (Papa). Family always came first for Gerald. Together, Gerald and Carol celebrated fifty-two years of marriage. Gerald loved the Lord and demonstrated it in every aspect of his life. He joined the Basilica of Saint John in Des Moines, Iowa in 1993, and later was a member of St. Agnus Catholic Church in Flint, Michigan, serving as an usher and member of the church council. He was preceded in death by his parents George T. and Broadus L. Pate, brother George T. Pate, and sister Cora J. Swann. His memory will be cherished by his loving wife Carol Ann Pate, son Daryl (Verna) Pate, daughter Denise (Jabari) Spruill, granddaughters Erika and Nicole Pate, and grandson Jabari Spruill Jr. Gerald is also survived by his siblings: Joyce (Hosea) Clark; David (Janet) Pate; Gwendolyn Kirk; Gulanza (Susan) Pate, Shirly Pate, Carol (Bobby) Allen, sister-in-law Emily McGhee, and a host of nieces, nephews, close relatives and family friends. The Celebration of Life for Gerald R. Pate will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2055 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. The service will be held at 12pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Program at Hope Hospice and Community Services, Inc., 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, Florida 33908, www.hopehcs.org.

Gerald Ray Pate

November 1, 1940 - November 23, 2017