Micheal Alan Tate

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at his home with his family by his side at the age of 80.

The son of the late John and Katherine (Vlahovich) Tate, Mike was born on March 15, 1943, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He graduated from Onaway High School, with the Class of 1961 where he played football and baseball. Mike continued his education at Central Michigan University in 1961 and obtained his bachelor's degree in 1966 and master’s degree in 1967. During summer break in 1962 he worked for the US Forest Service in Orofino, Idaho and subsequently worked at Pontiac Engineering in Pontiac, Michigan. While at CMU, he joined the Sigma Tau Gamma social fraternity where he served as house manager, pledge master, and parliamentarian. He also served as the fraternity's football coach and participated with all other fraternity athletic teams. While at CMU, he met and later married Susan Ann Whan on September 11, 1965, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ionia Michigan, she survives him. Mike began his career as a 2nd, 4th and 7th grade teacher in Clare Michigan. His goal was to become an elementary school principal and earned his first position at the Hess/Mahar elementary school in Bridgeport Michigan in 1970. Mike dedicated his career to the betterment of education as an elementary principal in the Bridgeport Spaulding Community School District for 35 years. He also served as the principal at Kaufman, Schluckebier, and Schrah elementary where he ended his career in 2005. His passion for shaping young minds and creating a nurturing environment will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched. He believed that life is to be lived, and to best live, one must have the best education possible. “Education is not a means to live but life itself”. During his time in Bridgeport, he was a member of the Bridgeport Community Church.

During retirement he enjoyed traveling, investing in the market, watching his grandchildren play sports, driving and working on his 1949 MGTC, working for the Andersen Foundation, the Bridgeport Planning Commission, the American Red Cross, as well as working for his son Matt. In 2019 he won the Bridgeport Citizen of the Year Award.

Surviving besides his wife Susan are their sons and their spouses, Mitchell and Krista Tate, Matthew and Amy Tate and his four grandchildren Gavin, Caden, Sydney, and Olivia. Also surviving Mike is his older sister Patricia and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents John and Katherine Tate, his brother-in-law Arthur Ripley, his in laws Ivan and Dorothy Whan as well as his brother-in-law Jon Whan.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Amara Hospice and staff for their kind and compassionate care of Mike.

Honoring Mike’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation and Memorial Service will be at Bridgeport Community Church, 3821 State St, Bridgeport, MI 48722. Friends may visit on Friday, March 8th, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. On Saturday March 9th, 2024 there will be a visitation from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with a memorial service starting after. Rev. Glen McIntyre will officiate. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Bridgeport Community Church, Bridgeport Community Church Handbells, or Amara Hospice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 5700 Dixie Hwy, Saginaw, MI 48601. Please share your condolences and memories with the family at the visitation, service, or online at https://www.casefuneralhome.com.