A gentle, wise, humorous, generous, and talented husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and friend, is celebrating this Independence Day with heavenly vitality, and everlasting liberty and life.
It seems beautifully synchronous that James D. Tate, a naval veteran of Viet Nam and lifelong Oklahoman, should both enter and exit this earthly life so close to our country’s 4th of July. The second son of Violet and Orville Tate, Jim entered the world on July 1, 1948 in Anadarko, and departed quietly at his home on the morning of July 3, 2026.
Although a Boy Scout, a varsity basketball and football player, accountant, auditor, commodities broker, Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce President, and a long-time church usher, it was his beloved wife Jeanie, his vivacious daughter Janet, and his two ingenious sons, Jeremy and Jarvis, that gave him his greatest pleasure.
Jim was grateful to God for having brought him home safely from two tours in Viet Nam, and was determined to use every gift and talent to love his family deeply and prepare them fully, for a life devoted to service, independence, faith and hard work.
Once he competed his time in the service, Jim immediately returned to Southwest-ern Oklahoma State University, and earned a dual degree in accounting and business administration. He was a quietspoken, but firm father. Whether it was overhauling engines, teaching his children how to barter and find the best deals, taking classes with his sons at the Vo-Tech to learn how to overhaul transmissions, encouraging them to think outside the box, making “goober” butter sandwiches, or chocolate milkshakes, of fighting for “brownie corners” going hunting and fishing, or offering solicited and/or unsolicited wisdom, Jim was “all in” and focused on excellence.
A consummate story and joke teller, Jim had a slow and deliberate delivery, a mind like a steel trap, and a quick wit that could deliver a ‘zinger one-liner’. But you always knew when Jim was sharing a favorite, when his “churkling” laughter would start before the story.
Jim’s mind was rarely at rest and his interests ranged from hunting and fishing, to investments, homeopathy, engineering, OU football, and of course, the Clinton Tornadoes.
He also loved his trips to Belize. Even as his health declined, Jim’s mind remained razor sharp, spending hours researching on his I-pad rather than zoning out in front of television.
Whether the first or the last, there was no time spent with a grandchild Jim considered less than priceless. Jim was also a good and devoted friend. He took time for his wise and steadfast breakfast guys most mornings, and poker playing buddies most Friday nights. Jim’s compassion and friendship was also extended to his fellow disabled veterans.
He stayed current on the various issues facing the Viet Nam veterans, and helped several guys to tackle the overwhelming but necessary paperwork. Jim was ready and willing to help anybody, anytime with his mechanical skills, his resources, or his expertise, and delivered those gifts, with loving patience, kindness, and humility.
He loved raising dogs, especially German Shorthaired Pointers, but hated to see them depart. His children recall their father always proclaiming at the death of a beloved pet, this was the “last dog”, only to return in a couple of weeks with a new found puppy to love.
There are many of us that will sorely miss Jim, most especially, his wife Sarah Jean (Jeanie Hayes) Tate, Daughter Janet and husband Richard Steele, their daughters Sydney and Rylee, Son Jeremy Tate, his wife Michelle, their children Cayden, Becka, and Eli, as well as Son Jarvis Tate and wife Amanda, and their son Joey Cutter-Tate. Jim’s parents and his sister Faye preceded him in death, but his surviving siblings include his brother Orville Jr and wife Bunny, and sister Betty Beaty and her husband Gary, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, relatives, Clinton Tornado classmates and friends.