James Pate

James Allen Pate, 71, of Prescott, went to be with the Lord on July 23, 2009 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Casa Grande to W.C. and Margaret Faye Pate. He was a member of the Heights Church in Prescott. He was ordained as an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Casa Grande and served as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church for many years.

Jim was loved and respected by his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

Jim graduated from the University of Arizona in 1960 and then joined the Arizona National Guard, in which he served for six years. He was a successful owner/operator of a large cotton farm in the Casa Grande area all of his adult life.

Jim enjoyed building floats for his grandchildren for entry into the Casa Grande Christmas Electric Light Parade, where they received various awards several years in a row.

Jim was greatly involved in service to his community, where he served on the Hoemako Hospital board and the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center board for several years and was Board Chairman at the groundbreaking of the present hospital. He also served 29 years on the San Carlos Irrigation District board in Coolidge and was a member of the Desert Sounds Barbershop Chorus which he enjoyed very much.

In the early 80s he and his wife, Betty, founded the Casa Grande Union High School Foundation, which provided scholarships to high school graduates to further their college education.

In 1983 he received the Rotary Club business and professional man award for his continuous and dedicated service to the community.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betty; son Russell of Phoenix; daughter Jennifer O'Neal, son-in-law Jim O'Neal of Carlsbad, CA; daughter Tiffany McGrath of Gilbert; and eight grandchildren, Madison, Jacob, Ben and Alec Pate, Zachary and Jeffrey O'Neal, and Bailey and Bradley McGrath; and his brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Becky Pate of Albuquerque, NM.

Visitation will be held at the J. Warren Funeral Home, Cole & Maud

The Gardens Chapel on Monday, July 27, from 6 to 8 p.m.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Tuesday,

July 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with his cousin

Rev. Bill McNatt of Athens, TX presiding.

A private graveside service will be held prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers we suggest that memorials be sent to Jim's favorite charities, The Salvation Army and

Seeds of Hope.