James Tatum

James Michael Tatum PORTSMOUTH - James Michael "Tate" Tatum, 60, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. Tate was born Nov. 5, 1949 in St. Paul, Minn. He was a graduate of Marist Military Academy. He was a member of Port Norfolk Baptist Church and a world-class pool player, having won multiple tournaments with the many local pool leagues of which he was a member. Tate was a lifelong and passionate Dallas Cowboys fan. He retired from Newport News Shipyard and he ran his own business, Rainbow Roofing Company. He was the eldest son of Lyle D. "James" Tatum and Patricia Ann (Fogarty) Tatum. He was predeceased by his mother and his surviving relatives include his father, Lyle; his daughter, Danielle Tatum; his brother, Patrick Tatum; and sister, Maureen Gasperetti; his nieces, Jennifer Carter, Bridget Wayland, Kelly Tatum, and Alyssa Wayland; and his nephews, Michael Umphlette, Patrick Tatum, Zane Birnie, and Shayne Wayland. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Port Norfolk Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled through the Cremation Society of Virginia. A memorial pool tournament is being planned and any donations in memory of Tate may be made through Portsmouth Amateur Pool League. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cremate.org.