Royce Tate

TATE
Royce Deane Tate, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired) succumbed to a long battle with cancer on December 31, 2009 at the age of 80. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on October 21, 1929 to Marcus Alonzo Tate and Josie Phean Hicky Tate. He attended Corpus Christi High School and upon graduation in 1948 received a tennis scholarship to Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1952 and received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. During his 25 years in the U.S. Air Force he was awarded Command Pilot's Wings, Bombardier-Navigator Wings and Pilot's Wings for his work for the Republic of Taiwan. Lt. Colonel Tate served as an aircraft command pilot in the Strategic Air Command for over 17 years, of which he spent 11 of them on nuclear alert in England, Morocco and Spain. He flew 217 combat missions in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 11 oak leafed clusters, the Medal of Glory (Taiwan) the Meritorious Service Medal. After Vietnam, he served as the commander of a special unit in Japan while training the Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and Philippino military. Upon retirement, Royce returned to Corpus Christi and became a licensed broker in commercial real estate. At a later date he enjoyed ranching, hunting, and fishing. He was a founding member of the Corpus Christi Mustangs. Lt. Colonel Tate is survived by his wife, Kathy Karp Tate of Corpus Christi; son, Carter Locher Tate (Celia) of Corpus Christi; two daughters, Elizabeth Locher Tate of Drake, Colorado and Lula Lee Locher Martin (Jonathan) also of Corpus Christi; and seven grandchildren, Katherine, Calley, Connor, Sarah, Jonathan, David, Winter and nieces and nephews . He was preceded in death by his brother Vernon Adrian Tate, Gertrude Carter Locher Tate, the mother of his children, a son, Royce Locher "Chip" Tate, Dodie Porter Tate of Brownsville, and Patricia Zoch Tate of Corpus Christi. A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd and the American Cancer Society. To view guestbook, leave condolences and share memories please visit www.seasidefuneral.com
SEASIDE FUNERAL HOME 4357 OCEAN DR.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
361 992-9411