Gale Leonard Pate, Jr. Jr.

Gale Leonard Pate, Jr., age 93, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 3:25 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at his home. He was born April 30, 1932, in Danville, Illinois, the son of Gale and Flo Dale (Whisler) Pate, Sr.

Gale was a 1950 graduate of Aurora High School and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1954, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Korean War. Gale was the President and Chairman of Juvenile Shoe from 1956 until 1989. He served on the National Footwear Manufacture Board, the Aurora School Board for six years and the Aurora City Council for six years and was the Mayor for one year, the Boy Scout Council in Springfield, Missouri, St. John's Hospital Board and was the President for several years, St. John's Regional Board and the Charter and Boatman's Bank Board. He was member of the Aurora Lions Club and the Aurora United Methodist Church.

On August 24, 1952, he married Jane Ann Muench in Aurora, Missouri and they celebrated 72 years of marriage before she passed away on March 5, 2025.

Gale is survived by two daughters, Peggy Schillinger and her husband, Howard, of Bluffton, South Carolina and Linda Stewart and her husband, Randy, of Springfield, Missouri; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents, Gale and Flo Dale Pate, Sr, one daughter, Janice McKee and his sister, Shirley Munday and her husband, Pat.

A graveside service under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, with be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to the Aurora United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.

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