1 Upcoming Event
Celebration of Life
NOV
24
Monday, November 24, 2025
Starts at 2:00 pm
Bluff Park United Methodist Church
733 Valley Street, Birmingham, AL 35226
Michael (Mike) Lane Pate, age 71, of Hoover, AL, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 after a four year battle with stage four lung cancer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 2:00PM at Bluff Park United Methodist Church, with Rev. Ross Furio and close friend Pastor Jim Tucker officiating. The service will take place in the Chapel, with visitation immediately following.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Erma Pate; and his niece, Laura Pate Rasco, and her husband, Austin Rasco.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Chrystal Quattlebaum Pate; his daughters, Shelly Pate Farace (Patrick) of Washington, D.C.; Gina Pate Johnson (Michael) of Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Sylvia Pate Harper (Keith) of Chelsea; brother, Kenneth Wayne Pate (Brenda) of Holt; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Michael was born on June 1, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He graduated from Tuscaloosa City High School in 1972 and earned his bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Montevallo in 1976.
He began his career working with underprivileged youth in the Birmingham area. A creative spirit, Mike also spent many years in the photography field.
Mike and Chrystal lived in California and Ohio before settling in Marietta, Georgia, where their two daughters were born and raised. A devoted Alabama fan, he spent countless Saturdays at Bryant-Denny Stadium cheering on the Crimson Tide with his family.
He was a founding member of the Theta Beta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and took great pride in helping plan the annual alumni reunions. He loved traveling, camping, and fishing—especially at Lake Wedowee—where he enjoyed time with family and playing with the dogs. In retirement, he rediscovered his love of golf and cherished the time spent on the course with friends.
In 1989, Mike began his career in life insurance with Colonial Life. Throughout his career, he earned multiple Top Coordinator of the Year awards and regularly qualified for the top sales trips, giving him and Chrystal the opportunity to travel the world together.
Mike lived a faith-driven life, always showing up for others and offering comfort in times of need. He had a calming presence that put people at ease, yet he also knew just how to spark laughter—whether with a well-timed joke, a funny face, or spontaneous dance moves that lit up the room. He spent the last four years doing the things he loved most, surrounded by the people he cherished.
The world is a little less bright without his kind and gentle soul, but his love and spirit will continue watching over those he leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America to support lung cancer research in his honor. Donations can be made at https://lcfamerica.org/
Celebration of Life Service
Bluff Park United Methodist Church, Chapel
Monday, November 24, 2025
2:00PM
733 Valley St
Birmingham, AL 35226
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Erma Pate; and his niece, Laura Pate Rasco, and her husband, Austin Rasco.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Chrystal Quattlebaum Pate; his daughters, Shelly Pate Farace (Patrick) of Washington, D.C.; Gina Pate Johnson (Michael) of Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Sylvia Pate Harper (Keith) of Chelsea; brother, Kenneth Wayne Pate (Brenda) of Holt; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Michael was born on June 1, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He graduated from Tuscaloosa City High School in 1972 and earned his bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Montevallo in 1976.
He began his career working with underprivileged youth in the Birmingham area. A creative spirit, Mike also spent many years in the photography field.
Mike and Chrystal lived in California and Ohio before settling in Marietta, Georgia, where their two daughters were born and raised. A devoted Alabama fan, he spent countless Saturdays at Bryant-Denny Stadium cheering on the Crimson Tide with his family.
He was a founding member of the Theta Beta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and took great pride in helping plan the annual alumni reunions. He loved traveling, camping, and fishing—especially at Lake Wedowee—where he enjoyed time with family and playing with the dogs. In retirement, he rediscovered his love of golf and cherished the time spent on the course with friends.
In 1989, Mike began his career in life insurance with Colonial Life. Throughout his career, he earned multiple Top Coordinator of the Year awards and regularly qualified for the top sales trips, giving him and Chrystal the opportunity to travel the world together.
Mike lived a faith-driven life, always showing up for others and offering comfort in times of need. He had a calming presence that put people at ease, yet he also knew just how to spark laughter—whether with a well-timed joke, a funny face, or spontaneous dance moves that lit up the room. He spent the last four years doing the things he loved most, surrounded by the people he cherished.
The world is a little less bright without his kind and gentle soul, but his love and spirit will continue watching over those he leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America to support lung cancer research in his honor. Donations can be made at https://lcfamerica.org/
Celebration of Life Service
Bluff Park United Methodist Church, Chapel
Monday, November 24, 2025
2:00PM
733 Valley St
Birmingham, AL 35226
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Lane Pate, please visit our flower store.
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