Virgil Pate

Virgil “Ray” Pate, 85, of Odessa, TX passed away on July 4, 2020.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Services to be conducted by Assistant Pastor Jeff Cleere of Chapel Hill Baptist Church where Way was a member.

V. Ray Pate was born in Utica, OK to Jesse and Willie Pate on March 26, 1935.  He grew up on the family farm in Calera, OK.  He was a member of FFA.  Later he moved to Odessa, TX where he started and owned Rays Catering and Rays Burger Barn, just to name a few of his many endeavors.  He was a man of many talents.  He married Barbara Swinney on July 5, 1974.

Ray Pate was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Willie Pate of Calera, OK, his infant son Harvey, two brothers Louie and Charles Pate of Calera, IK and stepson John “Bear” Everhart of Odessa, TX.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Barbara Swinney Pate, two sons Danny Pate of Odessa, TX and Tony Pate, of Missouri, and stepdaughter Vera Howell of Odessa, TX, one brother Wayne Pate of Calera, OK, 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Cancer Center in Ray’s name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.  To sign the guestbook, please visit www.sunsetodessa.com.