Louis M. Pate Jr.

Former long-time North Carolina Senator Louis Milford Pate, Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully at home in Mount Olive, on, Friday, August 29, 2025.

He was preceded in death by a brother, George Pate of Hopewell, Virginia, and a sister, Linda Santmier of Richmond, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce Garner Pate; three children, Lisa Rosen and husband, Lee, Louis "Chip" Pate III and wife, Catherine, and Frances Hill and husband, James. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Toby Rosen, Lane Rosen, Aubrey Hill, Brynn Pate, Quint Hill, Emilia Pate, Sabine Pate, Wesley Hill, and Norah Pate, and by a sister, Beth Pate Perkinson of Richmond, Virginia.

Senator Pate was born on September 22, 1936, in Duplin County, North Carolina, to Louis Milford Pate, Sr. and Mary Best Pate. He grew up in Hopewell, Virginia, and graduated from Hopewell High School before attending Virginia Tech. In 1962, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base when he met Joyce Garner.

He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as a B-57 navigator. Over the course of a 20-year military career, he also navigated in B-52 and F-111 aircraft, and he was stationed in diverse locations, including Florida, Nevada, and the United Kingdom. During his time in the Air Force, he earned his bachelor's degree and MBA while raising his family.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, he joined his father-in-law at Garner Brothers, Inc., a family-owned building supply business in Mount Olive, where his daily interactions with the community inspired him to a career in politics Senator Pate always considered it an honor to serve others. A longtime public servant, he worked for the betterment of the town and state he loved in many capacities. He served as a member of the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners and served as Mayor of Mount Olive for four terms. He also served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and as a State Senator. During his time in the Senate, he served as Deputy President Pro Tempore.

As a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Mount Olive, Louis served in many capacities; he was also a member of the Rotary Club. His deep love of music inspired his dedication to his church choir, Wayne Oratorio Society, and Third Century Singers for many years.

The Pate family will have visitation at First Baptist Church Christian Life Center on Thursday, September 4, 2025, beginning at 4:00 p.m. A service to celebrate and honor the Senator's life will follow in the church sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be private.