Don Ray Tate (affectionately known as Tate) was born June 14,1948, to Bobbie Jean Wallace and Allison Tate in Dallas, Texas. He attended Booker T. Washington High School where he played football as a defensive lineman and graduated in 1966.
Tate first met the love of his life, Mary “Baby,” in 1981. Life took them in different directions and brought them back together in 1995. They wed in January of 1996, and he immediately became father to five children. The family grew and he became a grandfather to ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was a chef at Brook Hollow Golf Club and Cinemark Theaters Corporate office. His culinary skills were unmatched. In his prime, he was a well sought after chef that catered many upscale events attended by some of Dallas’ most elite.
Tate had a big personality and never met a stranger. He was a big family man that enjoyed cooking for his family and hosting big dinners that brought them all together. He loved to travel on family vacations and had already tasked his daughters and a daughter in-law with planning the 2025 family vacation.
He was an experienced fisherman and had a group of fishing buddies who would fish, reminisce, and talk about the “good ole days.” He loved to hunt and would often speak of one of his fondest memories, which was going on an exclusive hunting excursion with his sons, grandson, and Finley (Fin) Ewing, a very special friend who was like family to him.
Tate was light on his feet. He loved to dance, especially swing out dance with his “Baby.” They were even known to have won a “Swing Out” dance contest. He was also a huge fan of the movie theater and had a plethora of Blu-Ray DVDs.
He was a spiritual man who loved God and had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was an active member of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where he enjoyed singing in the male choir. He took singing in the male choir so seriously that he took private singing lessons after joining the choir to make sure he was prepared. Recently, he was overjoyed when members of the male choir visited his home after a recent hospitalization where they talked, laughed, sang, and prayed with him.
Tate was preceded in death by his parents, Bobbie Jean Wallace Sneed and Allison Tate, his Aunt Elizabeth Warren, and son, Dennis Edwards.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his dedicated wife Mary Tate, loving children, Monica Boyd (Edwin), Eligha Ward III (Monique), Stacey Smith (Eddie), Charles Edwards (Vanessa); daughter-in-law, LaTanya Edwards, brother, Edward Tate (Christy), special niece, Phyllicia Tate, 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 nephews, 1 great-nephew, and a very special family friend, Finley “Fin” Ewing and Family.
