Frank Tate

Erton Frank Tate was born in Lubbock, Texas, at home on January 10, 1936, to Erton F. Tate and Lorene (Smith) Tate. He graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1953, received a BBA in Accounting from Texas Tech University in 1957, and a JD from the University of Texas Law School in 1959.

He was licensed to practice law in 1959 and licensed as a CPA in 1961 and practiced these professions until his retirement. Having had hundreds of clients and friends, he was a member of several local, state, and federal professional organizations holding various offices therein.

His professional accounting career began with Peat, Marwick & Mitchell (predecessor to KPMG) in 1959. It continued until his retirement with the accounting firm of Syrus & Tate, LLP in Wichita Falls. He also joined Nelson, Montgomery & Robertson, a longtime Wichita Falls law firm, in the '60s and practiced law with such firm and its successors, including the current firm of Tate, Gowan & Wilson PLLC (including the opening of its Fort Worth office in 2003), where he retired after tirelessly helping countless clients for over 50 years, specializing in the areas of wills, trusts, tax planning, tax return preparation, estate planning, and probate law.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Wichita Falls from 1961 until his death. He taught Sunday school classes and served as president, vice president, and treasurer of the official board and president of the Board of Elders. He was named Elder Emeritus in 2010, received the annual Man of the Year Award in 2012 for his service to the Church and he assisted in establishing the Endowment Fund at the Church. Frank also served on the boards of various charitable organizations, including the YMCA, Campfire Girls, North Texas Rehab Foundation, and Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation. He was a founding board member of Child Advocates - CASA of Red River.

He enjoyed sharing his life with treasured friends who loved playing cards, eating meals together, following investments, and playing tennis, and always welcomed a fun trip to the casino.

He and his wife, Glenda, loved to travel and visited nearly every country in the world at some point.

His parents, Erton and Lorene Tate, his late wife, Sarah, their son, Charles, and his brother, David, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Glenda; his children, Wally and Lori; his grandsons, Will and Andrew "Ford"; his great-granddaughters, Noelle and Claire; Glenda's children, Kevin and Julie; her grandchildren, Abigail, Autumn, Zackary, Nolan, Logan, and Madison; and her great-grandchildren, Heidi and Tate.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 22, 2024, at First Christian Church, 3701 Taft Blvd, in Wichita Falls, Texas. There will be a reception in the church immediately following the service. There will also be a private family graveside service at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Frank's memory to the Endowment Fund at First Christian Church in Wichita Falls or your favorite charity.