Jimmy L. Tate, age 76, of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka.
Jimmy was born October 4, 1946, in Waterville, to Bryan W. and Rosella M. (Sorell) Tate. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1965, then earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Wichita State University. On April 24, 1967, in Wichita, he married Ruth A. Splechter. She passed away in 2018.
Jimmy was a member of St. Monica and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Blue Rapids and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1777 of Marysville. He had served as a volunteer fireman with the Swede Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
Jimmy was a farmer and stockman. He especially loved working with his cattle. He also loved working on tractors and sometimes causing them to break just so he could fix them. He also enjoyed going on trips, with Branson being a favorite destination, and going to Randolph for coffee was an almost daily trip.
Survivors include his son Michael (Brandy) Tate of Waterville, his daughter Jaime (Gary) Bowser, II of Sabetha, a brother Sheldon Tate of Randolph, a sister Nancy Leiber of Bellevue, Nebraska, three grandchildren: Blake, DeWayne and Courtney and a special friend Joann Booth of Delia.
Preceding Jimmy in death were his parents, his wife Ruth, a brother Alvin Tate.
Viewing is from noon to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 9, with a visitation from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville. At 7:00 pm, a Rosary will be prayed at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 2023, at St. Monica and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Blue Rapids. Father Quentin Schmitz will be the officiant. Rosemary Forst is the organist. Hymns include: “Be Not Afraid”, “Here I Am Lord”, and “How Great Thou Art”. Casket Bearers are: DeWayne Tate, Blake Blowser, Wade Pinkham, Shawn McIntyre, Kenny Koch, William Budenbender and Brice Heck. Honorary Bearers are: Steven Leiber, Tracy Leiber, DeWayne Roepke and Ed Bergsten. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.
Memorials are suggested to St. Monica and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.