Tedford J. Pate

Tedford J. Pate, 88, of Murphysboro, IL passed away at sunrise on July 6, 2014 in his home surrounded by his family. Tedford was born on April 16, 1926 in Murphysboro a son to the late Tedford D. and Grace M. Nee (Nausley) Pate. He entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 upon graduating from Murphysboro High School in 1944. He served aboard the USS Toleman in the Pacific and participated in in the Okinawa Campaign. He was discharged on May 13, 1946. He was united in marriage to Bernadine Nee (Cornett) on March 31, 1948 in Paducah, Kentucky; Bernadine preceded him in death on September 20, 1962, after marrying and graduating college, he moved to Chicago and began a long rewarding career as a civil engineer with Amoco Oil (BP). After retirement he moved back to Murphysboro in 1999. Throughout his life he enjoyed travelling to visit his extended family around the country. Tedford was a member of the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro, Murphysboro Masonic Lodge #498 AF&AM and the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Omar Temple). He was also a member of VFW Post 7190 and the American Legion 127 in Murphysboro. Funeral services will be at 11am on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro; Rev. Shaker Samuel of the First Baptist Church will officiate, burial will be at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park with military rites by American Legion Post 127 and V.F.W. Post 7190 both in Murphysboro V.F.W. Post 2605 in Carbondale and Jackson County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 69. Visitation will be from 5 to 8pm on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro and from 9am until the hour of services Thursday at the church. Memorials are encouraged and may be made to the First Baptist Church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law; Everett & Reba Jo Pate of Jacksonville, FL., one son and daughter-in-law; Ted & Barbara Pate of Murphysboro, one daughter and son-in-law; Suzanne &Kurt Kaiser of Monee, IL., four grandsons Tony Pate, Mic Pate, Eric Kjellberg, and D.J. Barraca. Eleven great-grandchildren; Kasey Pate, Tyler Pate, Hettie Kjellberg, Tanner Pate, Emily Novak, Kim Kjellberg, Tori Pate, Alexis Pate, Lucy Kjellberg, Zachary Pate, and Milo Barraca, he is also survived by several close nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his siblings; Betty Jane Sinclair, Art Pate, Wanda Gunter; and his sisters-in-laws; Ruth Crews, Irene Hubbs, and Lucille Reeder.

Tedford J. Pate

April 16, 1926 - July 6, 2014