Oscar David Tate, 77, of Morganton, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Born in Manhattan, NY on November 2, 1946, he was the son of the late Samuel Alexander Tate and the late Dora Baker Tate of the Lake James Community.
Oscar graduated from Olive Hill High School in 1965 and Harris Barber College in 1966. He served in the US Army from 1967 to 1969, one year of which was as an infantryman in Vietnam. As a result of injuries obtained from his service, he retired as a barber for Western Carolina Center in 1975.
Oscar was a born again Christian and attended New Bethel Baptist Church. He was an active student in Sunday school and Bible study, and he served as an assistant vacation Bible school teacher and member of the missionary.
Mr. Tate was very active in his community. He helped organize and served with the North Carolina Agent Orange Outreach Program for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical used in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a member of American Legion Post 322, and member of the Riverine Force Association.
Oscar was also a life member of the NAACP and chairman of the Veteran Affairs Committee and Parliamentarian of the Burke County NAACP for 15 years. He participated for many years in the Black History Festival of the NAACP, providing black history books, posters, pictures, cards, and materials to the public.
He was a past board member of The Outreach Center, where he worked with special projects. He also served on the Community Resource Council at the Foothill Correctional Center for 15 years.
Oscar was a member of the History Museum of Burke County and past member of the Burke County Historical Society. He was also active in voter registration and getting voters to the polls for many years.
He had a passion for geology and organized the Rock and Mineral Club at Hillcrest Elementary School and served as its advisor for 7 years. He continued to teach about rocks and minerals to children through the Morganton Recreation Department mineral shows and to various schools, scout groups, and churches.
Always willing to serve, Oscar was a 25-year member of Caring Hearts Mission Outreach of Morganton. He helped serve and deliver meals to the sick and shut-in. He also transported individuals to medical appointments, ran errands for the needy, and delivered payments to utility companies and rental agencies for those unable to do so.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 54 years, Diann Thomas Tate; daughter, Richette Tate-Gore (Michael); grandchildren, Michaelanthony T. Gore and Benjamin David Gore; brothers, Samuel B. Tate and Louie P. Tate; brothers-in-law, Stephen L. Thomas (Susan), Frank A. Thomas (Sandra), and Phillip J. Thomas (Vonda); sisters-in-law, Audrey B. Tate, Belinda T. Vinson (Walter), and Frances T. Parker; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Willard Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Caring Hearts Mission Outreach, P.O. Box 2013, Morganton, NC 28680 or to a charity of your choice.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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Leave a tribute for Oscar David Tate.
To the family of Oscar Tate He was a great friend.Met him when I worked with his wife Diann.Remember he and Diann when Ritchette was born.Beautiful lovely man of God.He will be missed by all who knew him.May he rest in peace.Father God please hold Diann and family in your arms and comfort them.
I feel so blessed to have all of you express so many beautiful thoughts of Oscar. He was a very special, kind and loving man. I'm so humbled by all the acts of kindness and sympathy that was expressed to Richette, my family and myself. Also, the donations that were made to Caring Hearts Mission Outreach in his memory. May God bless each of you and you remain in my most sincere prayers.
Dear Mrs Diane I was just browsing and came across your husband’s obituary I’m so very sorry he was a great man of God and I know you miss him.. you are in my prayers for it has been 17 months since the passing of my Charles!! You can call on me anytime if needed! Love Lolita
Diann and Family, I am so sorry to learn of Oscar’s passing. I know you adored him as you always spoke of him with such admiration and love. I extend my sincere sympathy. May God grant you all much peace and comfort in the days ahead. Do you ever hear from Myrtle B.?
Sending condolences and prayers to "The Tate Family." My God bless you and keep you strong. Love you, Cathy Rakestraw.
We are so sorry for your loss . Sending hugs and prayers to the family. Such a great men.
May you be blessed with memories of joy and happiness that you and Oscar had for all those years, also I would like to THANK you guys for all the Hugs, smiles and words of encouragement that you gave me when we meet at the VA or shopping. Thanks you so much God Bless be with you in those days to come we Love you and yours
Diann, This is Martin from the long ago Martin Jewelers on South Sterling Street there in Morganton. I am so sorry to hear about Oscar's passing. As you already know, Oscar was a great man and true friend. I so enjoyed the time he and I spent together talking about geology, the Vietnam War, Family, Friends and Burke County. Oscar admired and cherished you and Rockette so very much as he often spoke of you both in our conversations. Although miles and events seperated us I have and will always cherish his friendship as he was, "THE REAL DEAL." If there is anything that I can do for you and your family please do not hesitate to give me a call. Always in my thoughts and prayers and in God's trust, Martin
To Sis. Diane and Family You have my condolences and prayers in the transitioning to the after life of Bro. Oscar Tate. Oscar wore his spiritual gifts of giving, helping, and encouraging along with other that were blessings to so many of us. I pray God bring healing to the wound of grief, so the day will come when you have the memories of Oscar without the pain you may be experiencing right now. Remember earth has no sorrows heaven cannot heal. God Bless Pastor Owens