Phillip B. “Phil” Tate, age 72 of Forest City died Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Phil was born on July 13, 1949, in Rutherford County and was a son of the late D. B. Tate, Jr. and Rosemary Mahaffey Tate Bailey. He was a graduate of Chase High School and a member of Wilson Baptist Church. He was also a United States Army veteran serving as a tank commander in the Vietnam War.
Phil worked for McCurry-Deck Motors for 27 years where he retired as Service Manager. Phil was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and he enjoyed every minute spent with his family. His favorite pastime was mowing his grass.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Todd Tate, a grandchild, Caleb Trace Pearson, and brother, Steve Tate.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Gay Funderburke Tate, his daughter, Cori Tate Pearson of Chesnee, SC, his sons, Tommy Tate and wife Angie of Henrietta, Billy Bostic and wife Leslie of Bostic. There are also six grandchildren, Dillian Pearson and wife Delaney, Tristan Tate, Austin Tate, Cade Jenkins, Baylee Bostic, Aubree Scruggs, great-grandchildren, Ellison Pearson, Rivers Pearson. There are also eight honorary grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 11 o’clock Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at The Padgett and King Chapel with Reverend Pete Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in the Cleveland Memorial Park with military honors accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 o’clock prior to the service.
The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com
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