Published in Arizona Daily Star (Mar. 15, 2015):
Homer Wynfield Pate was born July 9, 1918, in Winston County, Alabama, the only child of Homer Gilbert Pate and Venus Pearl (Smith) Pate.
Joining the US Navy on July 6, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, he served many assignments at sea and ashore. He retired as a lieutenant commander on July 31, 1968, after 30 years of service.
His memorable experiences include ferrying British Spitfires to Malta on the USS Wasp; the sinking of the USS Wasp September 15, 1942, at Guadalcanal; winning his Navy wings in June, 1945; drawing up the charts for the Berlin Airlift as a master navigator; observing General MacArthur's departure from Haneda AB, Tokyo, Japan; and being Ambassador Dulles' pilot as the ambassador traveled to Japan and back to ratify the Japanese Treaty in Tokyo.
He qualified in more than 20 different types of aircraft as a pilot, plane commander, patrol plane commander, flight instructor, and flight examiner. His Navy pilot hours totaled 15,258.
On November 1, 1942, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Louise Burgess while on survivor's leave in Cullman, Alabama. They have been married 72 years. He has three children, Patricia (Gary), Michael (Tobie), and Nancy (Kevin); ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He has always been a proud parent and grandparent of all of his children.
As a civilian flight instructor, Mr. Pate flew and instructed for Flight Safety out of La Guardia, NY, for several years and then retired to Tucson, AZ in 1972.
He has enjoyed playing golf, family activities, and travel. As father, neighbor, and friend, he has always been known as the man who could fix anything mechanical. He has been a longtime member and supporter of the Catalina Foothills Church. He stated that his reason for fighting in three wars was to preserve freedom of religion. He also maintained memberships in the Quiet Birdman, Silver Eagles, and the USS Wasp Survivors Association. He has been a member of the Masonic Aaron Lodge #49, Scottish Rite (Valley of Tucson); 32 degree Mason; and Shriner of the Sabbar Temple.
A memorial service will be announced and held in May.
Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel, Tucson, Arizona.
Homer Wynfield Pate was born July 9, 1918, in Winston County, Alabama, the only child of Homer Gilbert Pate and Venus Pearl (Smith) Pate.
Joining the US Navy on July 6, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, he served many assignments at sea and ashore. He retired as a lieutenant commander on July 31, 1968, after 30 years of service.
His memorable experiences include ferrying British Spitfires to Malta on the USS Wasp; the sinking of the USS Wasp September 15, 1942, at Guadalcanal; winning his Navy wings in June, 1945; drawing up the charts for the Berlin Airlift as a master navigator; observing General MacArthur's departure from Haneda AB, Tokyo, Japan; and being Ambassador Dulles' pilot as the ambassador traveled to Japan and back to ratify the Japanese Treaty in Tokyo.
He qualified in more than 20 different types of aircraft as a pilot, plane commander, patrol plane commander, flight instructor, and flight examiner. His Navy pilot hours totaled 15,258.
On November 1, 1942, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Louise Burgess while on survivor's leave in Cullman, Alabama. They have been married 72 years. He has three children, Patricia (Gary), Michael (Tobie), and Nancy (Kevin); ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He has always been a proud parent and grandparent of all of his children.
As a civilian flight instructor, Mr. Pate flew and instructed for Flight Safety out of La Guardia, NY, for several years and then retired to Tucson, AZ in 1972.
He has enjoyed playing golf, family activities, and travel. As father, neighbor, and friend, he has always been known as the man who could fix anything mechanical. He has been a longtime member and supporter of the Catalina Foothills Church. He stated that his reason for fighting in three wars was to preserve freedom of religion. He also maintained memberships in the Quiet Birdman, Silver Eagles, and the USS Wasp Survivors Association. He has been a member of the Masonic Aaron Lodge #49, Scottish Rite (Valley of Tucson); 32 degree Mason; and Shriner of the Sabbar Temple.
A memorial service will be announced and held in May.
Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel, Tucson, Arizona.
Published in Arizona Daily Star (Mar. 15, 2015):
Homer Wynfield Pate was born July 9, 1918, in Winston County, Alabama, the only child of Homer Gilbert Pate and Venus Pearl (Smith) Pate.
Joining the US Navy on July 6, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, he served many assignments at sea and ashore. He retired as a lieutenant commander on July 31, 1968, after 30 years of service.
His memorable experiences include ferrying British Spitfires to Malta on the USS Wasp; the sinking of the USS Wasp September 15, 1942, at Guadalcanal; winning his Navy wings in June, 1945; drawing up the charts for the Berlin Airlift as a master navigator; observing General MacArthur's departure from Haneda AB, Tokyo, Japan; and being Ambassador Dulles' pilot as the ambassador traveled to Japan and back to ratify the Japanese Treaty in Tokyo.
He qualified in more than 20 different types of aircraft as a pilot, plane commander, patrol plane commander, flight instructor, and flight examiner. His Navy pilot hours totaled 15,258.
On November 1, 1942, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Louise Burgess while on survivor's leave in Cullman, Alabama. They have been married 72 years. He has three children, Patricia (Gary), Michael (Tobie), and Nancy (Kevin); ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He has always been a proud parent and grandparent of all of his children.
As a civilian flight instructor, Mr. Pate flew and instructed for Flight Safety out of La Guardia, NY, for several years and then retired to Tucson, AZ in 1972.
He has enjoyed playing golf, family activities, and travel. As father, neighbor, and friend, he has always been known as the man who could fix anything mechanical. He has been a longtime member and supporter of the Catalina Foothills Church. He stated that his reason for fighting in three wars was to preserve freedom of religion. He also maintained memberships in the Quiet Birdman, Silver Eagles, and the USS Wasp Survivors Association. He has been a member of the Masonic Aaron Lodge #49, Scottish Rite (Valley of Tucson); 32 degree Mason; and Shriner of the Sabbar Temple.
A memorial service will be announced and held in May.
Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel, Tucson, Arizona.
Homer Wynfield Pate was born July 9, 1918, in Winston County, Alabama, the only child of Homer Gilbert Pate and Venus Pearl (Smith) Pate.
Joining the US Navy on July 6, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, he served many assignments at sea and ashore. He retired as a lieutenant commander on July 31, 1968, after 30 years of service.
His memorable experiences include ferrying British Spitfires to Malta on the USS Wasp; the sinking of the USS Wasp September 15, 1942, at Guadalcanal; winning his Navy wings in June, 1945; drawing up the charts for the Berlin Airlift as a master navigator; observing General MacArthur's departure from Haneda AB, Tokyo, Japan; and being Ambassador Dulles' pilot as the ambassador traveled to Japan and back to ratify the Japanese Treaty in Tokyo.
He qualified in more than 20 different types of aircraft as a pilot, plane commander, patrol plane commander, flight instructor, and flight examiner. His Navy pilot hours totaled 15,258.
On November 1, 1942, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Louise Burgess while on survivor's leave in Cullman, Alabama. They have been married 72 years. He has three children, Patricia (Gary), Michael (Tobie), and Nancy (Kevin); ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He has always been a proud parent and grandparent of all of his children.
As a civilian flight instructor, Mr. Pate flew and instructed for Flight Safety out of La Guardia, NY, for several years and then retired to Tucson, AZ in 1972.
He has enjoyed playing golf, family activities, and travel. As father, neighbor, and friend, he has always been known as the man who could fix anything mechanical. He has been a longtime member and supporter of the Catalina Foothills Church. He stated that his reason for fighting in three wars was to preserve freedom of religion. He also maintained memberships in the Quiet Birdman, Silver Eagles, and the USS Wasp Survivors Association. He has been a member of the Masonic Aaron Lodge #49, Scottish Rite (Valley of Tucson); 32 degree Mason; and Shriner of the Sabbar Temple.
A memorial service will be announced and held in May.
Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel, Tucson, Arizona.
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