Frank Coleman Pate

Dr. Frank Coleman Pate, Jr. died on February 26, 2025 in Moody, AL. His remains will be interred at the columbarium at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Selma AL on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm. He was preceded in death by his father Frank Coleman Pate, Sr., his mother Frances Isabelle McNeill Pate, sister Elizabeth Pate Pierson, and brother Anthony McNeill Pate. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Jo Ann Hudson Pate and children Frances McNeill Pate Sherrer of Montgomery, AL (Todd); Frank Coleman Pate III of Trussville, AL (Grace); and Hamilton Read Pate of Searsport, ME (Corby). Also surviving are his brother Dr. Robert Anthony Pate of Peachtree City, GA (Jennifer) and grandchildren Rachael Leigh Sherrer, Caroline McNeill Sherrer, William Pate Sherrer and Emily Elizabeth Sherrer; Matthew Coleman Pate and Sarah Grace Pate; and Isabelle Winslow Pate.



Frank was born in Macon, GA. on September 6, 1941. He graduated from Young Harris Junior College before attending the University of Tennessee where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Delta, premedical-dental honor society. Frank earned a DMD degree from the University of Kentucky School of Dentistry in 1967. He completed an Oral Surgery residency at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1970 before entering private practice in Decatur, AL. He became board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1978. In 1980 Frank became the first director of the General Dental Practice Residency at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. In 1981 he returned to the UAB School of Dentistry where he completed his Orthodontic Residency and then entered private practice in Tuscaloosa, AL. In 1989 he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists becoming one of the first Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons/Orthodontists to become board certified in both Specialties. After retirement from private practice, he became a consultant for the development of video-imaging systems for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Orthodontists. In 1995 a devastating accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury bringing his esteemed career to an end. Frank lived another 30 years in relatively good health in Selma, AL and Tupelo, MS. Recently, he and Jo moved to Moody, AL to be near their children.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his name to the Brain Injury Association of America, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Selma, AL, or the UAB School of Dentistry.