Staff Reports

Richard Lamar Pate, 41, a resident of Rutledge, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery. Funeral services for Richard were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Rev. Harry Driggers. Interment will follow in Pleasant Home Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family received friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Lord, there just aren’t enough words to describe Richard! His antics are legendary because there was nothing he enjoyed more than a great practical joke! It was always best not to challenge him that you weren’t afraid of something, just in case he decided to test your mettle! In fact, he could get so tickled he had tears in his eyes just from designing new ways to get you. Everything was done in good humor and with a lot of love though. His family was always in stitches at his shenanigans and have an innumerable amount of stories to share about them. Ask one of them about “Pate’s Daycare” when he was left alone with his boys and nephews, apparently duct tape really does solve every single problem…..needless to say it only lasted one day!. Richard was definitely one of a kind with his goofy sense of humor and easy going demeanor which made it hard to stay mad at him. 

Richard went to work at an early age, first learning to roof alongside his father, and then he set out for the pipeline. He thoroughly enjoyed the pipeliner life which led him all over the country from Pennsylvania and Ohio to Texas and Louisiana. He easily made friends everywhere he went, and proved to be as loyal and as good a friend that you could possibly wish for. He was no one’s pushover however, because he was also as strong-willed as it gets. When he was back home, you could count on him hosting plenty of cookouts for family and friends. His skill on the grill was almost as legendary as his antics! No one could cook a better steak and he loved throwing other fine dishes out for his loved ones like his jalapeno poppers and some fine boudin sausage he learned to love during his trips to Cajun Country. Saturdays in the Fall meant Auburn Tiger Football for Richard because game days were some of his favorite days. 

Above all, Richard was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. His family meant the world to him and they felt exactly the same way about him. He didn’t need much in life, just his family, friends, and his ride or die pup, Eleanor. She was his bestest buddy in the world and she rarely ever left his side. He didn’t need fancy toys and expensive trips. His soul craved just riding the dirt roads while listening to his favorite country music, especially when Bocephus was playing, or just finding a quiet fishing hole to drop a line in and enjoy the beautiful scenery. How could you not love someone like that? And Richard was certainly well loved by all those who knew him. He has gone on far, far too soon, but he will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all of his loved ones for many more years to come. 

Richard was preceded in death by his first wife, Sirena Lott Pate; grandparents, Eley & Florence Swartz Owens and Jimmy O’Neal & Susie Kathleen Mitchell Pate; uncle, Jimmy Pate; and aunts, Linda Pate & Rebecca Lawrence. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Shannon Harrison Pate; children, Troy Pate, Tracy Pate, Cody Alan Greive; parents, Larry & Rita Pate and Kitty & Buster Jordan; sisters, Jennifer (Justin) Harrelson and Brenda Owens; niece, Harleigh Lanier; nephews, Chase Owens, Dalton Lanier, and Eli Owens; his beloved pit bull, Eleanor; a host of aunts, uncles, extended family members, and friends. 

Active pallbearers were Troy Pate, Chase Owens, Kevin Hurley, Matthew Hurley, Robby Burgans, and Justin Caplinger. Honorary pallbearers are Tracy Pate, Dalton Lanier, and Brandon Jordan. 

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the amazing ICU nurses at Baptist Medical Center East for their excellent care of both Richard and his family during such a trying time.