Sam Tate

KNOXVILLE Sam R. Tate, 72, passed away peacefully at home Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, after short bout with lung cancer.He was born in Whitwell, Tenn., and was of the Methodist faith. He was an executive in the tank truck industry for most of his adult life.He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean Mosier Tate and Ray Tate; and his daughter, Rhonda Thompson.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara (Ross) Tate; sister, Sue (Bill) Ansley, of Camden, S.C.; son, Gary (Susan) Tate, of Ooltewah; daughter, Dena (Tom) Davidson, of Maryville, Tenn.; son-in-law, Kevin Thompson, of Knoxville; grandchildren, Kevin (Susan) Davidson, of Charlotte, N.C., Samantha (Steven) Kelley, of Maryville, Tenn., Olivia (Mitchell) Parton of Chattanooga, Jordan, Conner, and Hunter Thompson, of Knoxville, Nicholas (Kristin) Tate, of Douglasville, Ga.; and great-grandchildren, Logan and Autumn Kelley, of Maryville, Tenn.The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. CDT until time of the service at 2 p.m. CDT, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012.Funeral service will be conducted from the chapel of Tate Funeral Home in Jasper, Tenn. Entombment will follow in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens, in Jasper, Tenn.In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to your favorite charity.To send online condolences visit www.tatefh.com.Arrangements by Tate Funeral Home,950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tenn., 423-942-9500.