Aaron Eugene 'Gene' Pate

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Mr. Aaron Eugene "Gene" Pate, 81, of Blytheville, passed from this life Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born in Paul, Ala., to Shellie and Deffie Edison Pate, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville.

Gene was a Vietnam War veteran who proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 28 years. He was a member of the American Legion, was an avid golfer, he enjoyed being outdoors tending his lawn and garden. He enjoyed woodworking and built everything from cradles to houses. He was very devoted and active in his church and organized the Thursday morning Bible study. His love for family was primary in his life and he enjoyed spending time with them.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Hill Pate, in 2009; his siblings, Thad, Marie and Maggie; and granddaughter, Holly.

Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce Pate of the home;

His children, H. Lynn Ellis of Alexandria, Va., Bob Ellis and wife, Juliana, of Maumelle, Michael Pate and wifem Katie, of Apopka, Fla., Mark Pate and wife, Geraldine, of Springfield, Mass., and Amy Barron and husband, Michael, of Haddam, Conn.;

A brother, Dan Pate, and wife, Marcia, of Huntsville, Ala.;

A sister, Ella Pate Mobley of Paul, Ala.; and

Ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Blytheville First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Robin Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.cobbfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 7th and Main St., Blytheville, AR, 72315.