TATE

November 5, 1954 -

January 12, 2026

Plano - David Leon Tate, 71, of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.

He was born on November 5, 1954, in Wichita Falls, Texas to Leon Howard Tate and Vida Lee White Tate. He graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1972 and received a business degree from Texas Tech University. David spent 39 years working for Texas Instruments.

David was a devoted husband and father, known for his dry sense of humor, love of boating, Possum Kingdom Lake, hunting, skiing, Texas Tech, and Dallas Stars hockey. Classic rock was the soul soothing soundtrack to David's life. David had a motor that never stopped, and he loved to stay busy with yardwork and projects around the house. David was a man who loved routines and spent his later years walking the track at Carpenter Park Recreation Center in Plano at 5:30 every morning with his beloved walking buddies.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Melinda Brawner Tate; his children Whitney Tate and husband William A. Ruppert III, and their children Peyton Tate and Jak Kirby all of Wichita Falls, Texas. His son Trevor David Tate and wife Mackie Rosen and their dog-child Tucker (aka ‘Lugg' to David) of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Leon Tate of Wichita Falls, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, and his father, Leon Howard Tate.

A service will be held on January 30th, 2026, at 3pm at Allen Family Funeral Options located at 2112 W. Spring Creek Pkwy. Plano, Texas 75023. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society Kidney Cancer Foundation and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

David's family thanks all who have offered love and support during this time.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Star Local Media from Jan. 23 to Jan. 29, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID TATE

Sponsored by Allen Family Funeral Options - Plano.

14 Entries

Randy Rutledge

February 5, 2026

For over forty years I was blessed with David´s friendship. So many good times, so many great memories.
Watching his hole-in-one at Meadowbrook and golfing with him at Doral´s Blue Monster
Playing blackjack at Harvey´s in Lake Tahoe and winning keno at the Desert Inn
Watching Siegfried and Roy one night and Cirque du Soleil the next in Las Vegas
Snow skiing at Mammoth Lakes and hot tubbing at Wolf Creek
Water skiing at White River and Lake Arrowhead and jet skiing at Possum Kingdom
Upland bird hunting in Jayton and deer hunting in Clairemont
Hanging out as tourists at Banff Springs and walking the Olympic grounds at Calgary
Coaching Little League in Lubbock and watching six-man football in Jayton
Attending Texas Tech basketball games and watching Trevor´s ice hockey games
His wedding to Melinda and Trevor´s marriage to Mackie
Watching Whitney grow up and welcoming Trevor into the world
Spending time with his family in the `Falls´ and spending time with my family in the `Hub´
Attending the iconic Masters in Augusta and seeing the majestic beauty of Lake Louise
Fishing from jon boats in Kent County and fishing from jet skis at Lake Lavon
Hanging out with Bobby Layne listening to sports tales and meeting Terry Bradshaw
Shutting down Slaton Road warehouse and watching Park Central North be razed

So many good times, so many great memories. I´m fortunate to have had such a great friend and only wish we could have had more time together. I´ll miss you little buddy

Joy Simpson

January 31, 2026

I worked with David since about 1977/1978 with Texas Instruments starting in Lubbock, Texas. He was such a great guy and friend to all. Lost touch the last few years so did not know he was even ill. Breaks my heart to see the loss of such a good man. Rest in peace David. Prayers for Melinda and the family. Photo from 2013 Slaton Road Reunion. Great way to remember my friend.

Jerry Parker

January 29, 2026

I met David in the third grade at Ben Franklin in Wichita Falls . We went on to be great friends. He will be missed.
Rest in peace my friend.
Jerry Parker

Jean Fister

January 29, 2026

I worked with David at Texas Instruments for about 30 years. He was such a good guy. He used to call me JEAN, JEAN, the dancing machine every time I talked to him which always made me smile. We were all better people for knowing David and having him in our lives.

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Jean Fister

January 28, 2026

I worked with David at Texas Instruments for about 30 years. He was such a good guy and was always the same person no matter what happened. He used to call me, JEAN, JEAN, the dancing machine, all the time, which always made me smile. We have all become a better person knowing David and having him in our lives.

Bill Thomas

January 28, 2026

I had the priviledge of working directly and indirectly with David for more than 20 years. I put him in for a number of medals and awards just for putting up with me on our lengthy road trips. Another member of our team whom we lost not long ago had the most accurate description of David "A stand-up guy", do anything for you". That says it all.

Bill Thomas

Randy Buntyn

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Trees

Randy Buntyn

January 27, 2026

David, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I am blessed to have known you from grade school (Ben Franklin), junior High (Zundy) and high school (Wichita Falls High School). You were always a pleasure to talk to and I am very glad I got to see you at our 50th reunion. So close, but so far away. We will meet again.

Gregg DeVita

January 26, 2026

God will hold David in the Palm of His hands bc he was a Genuine and Honest man. I remember smiling each time we spoke, he was a Man's Man.

Ginger Austin

January 19, 2026

Steve and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of David. We enjoyed knowing him for a short time out at the lake. Our love and prayers are with you and your family.

Susan Simmons

January 18, 2026

David and I went to HS and church together. Didn't see him except at our 50th class reunion. So sorry for your loss Mrs. Tate. Prayers for you and all of his family.
Susan Nicks Simmons

Jack Warden

January 16, 2026

David and I have known and been friends for over 40 yrs. We both worked for TI in Lubbock. We spent a lot of time outside of work with the same friends enjoying time on the lake fishing, skiing, and just driving our boats around soaking up the sun. We also enjoyed bird hunting with the Rutledge family and a few other friends that joined in the hunts out in the Claremont area. As mentioned, David had somewhat of a dry humor which in every conversation he gladly shared that humor.

When David and Melinda met, which I believe I had a little to do with their meeting. I believe he had met his true Sole Mate to share life with.

As I said, David has been my friend for over 40 yrs and even though we had not stayed in close touch over the years our friendship remained strong. I will miss David, but I will always have the great memories of the times we shared throughout our lives.
All who knew or met David should feel they are blessed to be able to say he was a part of their lives.
Till we meet again my friend!
Jack

Roy Stein

January 16, 2026

David-was a pleasure knowing and working with you for more than 3 decades. We´ll meet up again. Thoughts and prayers to your family at this time.

Roy Stein

Y. G.

January 16, 2026

David, it was a great pleasure to have walked with you at Carpenter Recreation Center. You will be missed.

YG

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